Nick Krall on Noelvi Marte: "He's Not Going to be Given the Job."

Marte struggled in 2024, hitting just .210 over 66 games.

Greg Kuffner | Dec 19, 2024

Sep 21, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte (16) scores on a RBI single hit by shortstop Elly De La Cruz (not pictured) in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images / Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

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Cincinnati Reds

After being suspended for the first 80 games of the season for violating Major League Baseball's performance-enhancing drug policy, Noelvi Marte hit just .210 over 66 games in 2024.

It's fair to say that wasn't the season the Reds were hoping to get from the young infielder.

Nick Krall talked about Marte on the Reds Hot Stove on Tuesday night.

"We thought that he had every chance to be the everyday third baseman out of the shoot and we're going to have this superstar guy," Krall said. "Obviously, he got suspended for PEDs, and he started behind the eight ball and it snowballed from there.

The Reds met with Marte and challenged him to get better over the offseason.

"We challenged him to go into the offseason to get better offensively, get better defensively, take better care of your body, and just work at it," Krall went on to say. "He's done a good job. I know Tito and Brad met with him in Santo Domingo earlier this season and he's looking in good shape. He has really tried to trim down and has worked his butt off."

Marte is going to have to earn his spot on the roster during spring training.

"He's going to have to come in and compete for a spot and he knows that," Krall said. He's not going to be given the job and he's going to actually have to come in and earn a spot on this team. Otherwise, we are going to have to figure out who is going to be our starting third baseman."

Marte hit a home run in the Dominican Winter League on Tuesday night, but has struggled there as well, slashing .221/.299/.325 with five extra-base hits in 23 games.

It looks like he is experimenting with a swing change as he finished with both hands on the bat on his home run on Tuesday, which was different than in the past.

The Reds need a bounce-back season from Marte in 2025.

You can listen to Krall's full interview on the Hot Stove here.

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