Noelvi Marte’s Next Move? Reds Eye Center Field Experiment for Electric Young Talent
The 2025 season was a turning point for Noelvi Marte - not a breakout, but a shift. The raw talent has always been there, but it’s shown in flashes rather than a full-season showcase.
That started to change when the Cincinnati Reds made a bold call: move him off third base and try him in right field. And while the transition wasn’t flawless, it offered a glimpse of what could be.
Marte, just 24, held his own out in right. Over 437⅓ innings, he posted -1 Outs Above Average (OAA) - not elite, but certainly not disastrous for a player learning on the fly.
What stood out more than the metrics were the flashes: the strong routes, the closing speed, the arm that made runners think twice. His 89th percentile sprint speed and 93rd percentile arm strength are tools you can’t teach - and they’re part of why the Reds might be ready to up the ante.
Center Field? It’s on the Table
Reds President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall recently hinted that Marte could see time in center field this spring. That’s a notable development - and potentially a game-changer for a Reds team looking to optimize its outfield defense without sacrificing offense.
Marte’s only taste of center came in a brief, eight-inning cameo last season. It didn’t go smoothly - a misplay on a Miguel Rojas drive against the Dodgers stands out - but context matters.
That was during a playoff push, and Marte was thrown into a new position on the fly, without the benefit of reps or routine. That’s a tough ask for any player, let alone one still adjusting to life in the big leagues.
This time around, it’s different. If the Reds commit to giving Marte a real look in center during spring training, he’ll have the benefit of time, coaching, and a lower-pressure environment to learn the nuances of one of the toughest positions on the field. And with his physical tools, there’s reason to believe he can make it work.
What This Means for the Reds’ Outfield Picture
TJ Friedl has been the Reds’ primary center fielder, and he brings value - smart routes, good instincts, and a steady glove. But athletically, he’s limited.
His sprint speed sits in the 32nd percentile, and his arm strength is below average (40th percentile). That’s not a knock - Friedl’s a solid player - but there’s a ceiling to what he can offer in center.
If Marte can handle the demands of the position, it opens up a lot of possibilities. Friedl could slide over to left, where his arm becomes less of a liability and his strong reads can really shine. That one move could improve two outfield spots at once.
It could also help cover for a potential defensive downgrade in right field. The Reds’ recent signing of Eugenio Suárez boosts the offense, but it likely pushes Spencer Steer - a Gold Glove-caliber first baseman - into right field.
Steer can handle the corner outfield in a pinch, but he’s not a natural fit. A rangy, athletic center fielder next to him could make a big difference.
A Low-Risk, High-Reward Bet
This isn’t a sure thing. Marte still has to prove he can handle the reads, the angles, the communication - all the things that make center field one of the most demanding positions in baseball. But the upside is real, and the Reds are smart to explore it now, when the games don’t count and the reps are plentiful.
For manager Terry Francona, the potential payoff is huge. If Marte sticks in center, it gives him more flexibility with the lineup card and more confidence in the outfield defense - something that could matter a lot come late summer.
There’s no downside here. Giving Marte a real shot to learn center field in spring training costs nothing but time, and the possible reward is a more dynamic, better-balanced outfield. For a Reds team with playoff aspirations, that’s a gamble worth taking.