Reds' season to depend on Noelvi Marte, and here's why

The Cincinnati Reds turned Noelvi Marte into a right fielder.

It's a move that better work to have a successful 2026 MLB season.

The Reds have continued to improve their roster this offseason, but they didn't do anything to improve right field. It's a vote of confidence in Marte.

According to ESPN's Bradford Doolittle, Marte is projected to be the worst starting right fielder in baseball.

That's not because he lacks tools, though.

"Marte has the tools, with upper-echelon Statcast figures in sprint speed, arm strength and maximum exit velocity," Doolittle writes.

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The Reds don't just need Marte to look good on a spreadsheet about his physical ability, though.

They need him to turn that into consistent production.

"Those readings are different from actual, consistent production, and that's where the Reds need Marte to put it together," Doolittle writes. "With nearly 200 big league games under his belt at this point, Marte has an 86 OPS+, .294 OBP and negative defensive metrics, adding up to an unplayable 0.4 bWAR per 162 games. Marte made progress in 2025, and if he can take a big step in 2026, the Reds' roster will look that much more complete -- as in playoff caliber."

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The Reds chased down the final wild card spot last season but were then quickly swept away by the Dodgers.

Much of this roster hadn't had an opportunity like that before, and now they know what it's like.

They added Eugenio Suarez for some much needed power.

And all eyes will go to right field, where it's Marte's chance to prove himself in a major way.

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