Another Demotion for Marte
Cincinnati Reds right fielder Noelvi Marte has been demoted to Triple-A for the second time this season, as reported by the Cincinnati Enquirer and Sports Illustrated. The 24-year-old has struggled in the major leagues, batting .189 over 201 plate appearances, with just four hits in his last 30 at-bats. His chase rate—swinging at pitches outside the strike zone—stands at 41.2%, well above the MLB average of around 30%.
Marte's season began with promise: he was expected to be the everyday right fielder out of Spring Training, according to Sports Illustrated. But after a difficult spring, he split time with Will Benson to start the year. By April 13, the Reds sent him down with a .138 average, recalling Rece Hinds. He was recalled on June 3 when the Reds demoted TJ Friedl, but his performance did not improve.
Strong Numbers at Triple-A
In Triple-A Louisville, Marte has produced impressive numbers. Through Aug. 18, he hit .369 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Sports Illustrated reported that in 40 games with the Louisville Bats, he slashed .369/.409/.575 with 16 extra-base hits. Those results earned him another chance in the big leagues, but his major league stats remain weak: a .190/.229/.321 slash line with 13 extra-base hits in 63 games.
Marte has also struggled defensively and at times appears to lack a sense of urgency, Sports Illustrated reported. His barrel percentage has dropped from 9.1% in 2025 to 5.1% in 2026, and his exit velocity is down, according to the Enquirer. The Reds moved him to the outfield to get his bat in the lineup, but he has yet to deliver consistently.
Francona's Challenge
Reds manager Terry Francona addressed the decision to send Marte back down, offering both praise and a challenge. "He has all the tools to be an everyday player," Francona told the Enquirer's Gordon Wittmeyer, a quote also carried by Sports Illustrated via Charlie Goldsmith. "Saying that, when you're playing every day, you've got to find a way to help your team win. And it's not just getting hits. It's playing the position. It's being accountable for so many different things. And he was just having a tough time, by his own admission."
Francona also revealed a conversation he had with Marte. "We asked him how he thought it was going," Francona said. "He said, 'Not very well.'" The manager added, "You've got to play with some urgency and get after it... Be the first one out there, don't be the last one out there," and "Take charge in the outfield." Sports Illustrated noted that the Reds had to push Marte during spring training and that Francona's comments were pointed, suggesting Marte's opportunities are starting to run out.
What's Next for Marte
Marte's contract pays him $790,000 per year, and he is arbitration-eligible for the 2027 season, according to the Enquirer. The Enquirer also cited NBC Sports reporting that Marte's stock has dropped dramatically and that a change of scenery may be in order. For now, Marte must play his way back to the majors or potentially seek opportunities elsewhere. Last season, he hit 14 home runs with a .263 average, showing the promise that made him a key piece of the Reds' future. Whether he can rediscover that form remains to be seen.