Noelvi Marte, a former top-100 prospect for five years running, was poised for a breakout 2025 season until an oblique injury sidelined him in early May. Now, nearly two months later, the dynamic infielder is back to ignite the Cincinnati Reds’ wild-card push. On Friday, the Reds activated Marte and pitcher Graham Ashcraft, wasting no time slotting the third baseman into the lineup for a July 4 clash against the Philadelphia Phillies—ironically, the first team managed by Reds skipper Terry Francona.
Marte, who posted a sizzling .294/.342/.515 slash line with three homers and 17 RBIs in 19 games before his injury, had been claiming the everyday third base role over Jeimer Candelario, who was later released. A standout prospect ranked No. 92, 73, 18, 63, and 23 by Baseball America from 2020 to 2024, Marte honed his skills in the Seattle Mariners’ system before being traded to Cincinnati in 2022 alongside Edwin Arroyo, Andrew Moore, and Levi Stoudt for pitcher Luis Castillo.
With the Reds at 45-42, trailing the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs by seven games but just 1.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, and San Diego Padres for the final wild-card spot, Marte’s return could be the spark Cincinnati needs to surge into October.
Source: AthlonSports
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