Terry Francona Throws Noelvi Marte UNDER THE BUS After Cincinnati Reds Demotion | MLB News, Rumors

Trace Fowler and Nick Kirby discuss the Cincinnati Reds optioning Noelvi Marte to AAA-Louisville.

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Cincinnati Reds option struggling Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville

The Cincinnati Reds have optioned outfielder Noelvi Marte to Triple-A Louisville following another extended stretch of struggles at the plate.

Cincinnati recalled catcher Will Banfield in the corresponding roster move. Carrying a third catcher should give the Reds more opportunities to use Tyler Stephenson as their designated hitter while keeping Jose Trevino and Banfield available behind the plate.

For Marte, this is his second demotion of a disappointing 2026 season. The 24-year-old is batting just .189 with a .229 on-base percentage, a .321 slugging percentage and a .550 OPS across 201 plate appearances. His production had fallen even further in August, as he recorded only four hits in 32 at-bats with 10 strikeouts and no extra-base hits before being sent down. [Red Reporter](redreporter.com/cincinnati-reds-roster/52088/noelvi-marte-rumors-optioned-aaa-louisville)

Marte opened the season as Cincinnati’s starting right fielder but was optioned to Louisville in April after going 4-for-29 with no extra-base hits and 10 strikeouts over his first 11 games.

The first demotion initially appeared to accomplish its purpose. Marte crushed Triple-A pitching, batting .369/.409/.575 with eight home runs, seven doubles and a triple across 40 games. That performance earned him another opportunity when the Reds recalled him on June 3 and optioned TJ Friedl.

Unfortunately for Marte and the Reds, his success in Louisville did not carry over to the major leagues.

Marte continued to chase pitches outside the strike zone and struggled to drive the ball consistently. Even when he made contact, too many of his batted balls stayed on the ground. Those issues prevented him from taking advantage of the impressive raw power that once made him one of baseball’s highest-rated prospects.

His defensive future has also become increasingly uncertain. Marte reached the majors as a third baseman after originally developing as a shortstop, but his persistent defensive mistakes led Cincinnati to move him to right field during the 2025 season.

He showed encouraging progress after the position change and produced one of Cincinnati’s most memorable moments of last season with a leaping catch against the Pittsburgh Pirates in September. Marte also hit .263 with 14 home runs, 51 RBI and a .748 OPS across 90 games in 2025, creating optimism that he could become a long-term answer in the Reds’ outfield.

Instead, 2026 has represented a significant step backward.

Marte was the centerpiece of the package Cincinnati received from the Seattle Mariners for Luis Castillo at the 2022 trade deadline. The Reds also acquired Edwin Arroyo, Levi Stoudt and Andrew Moore in that deal. Marte’s combination of bat speed, power and youth made him one of the most important players in the organization’s rebuilding plans.

That pedigree should ensure the Reds continue working with him, but his status as a former elite prospect can no longer guarantee regular playing time. He must demonstrate that he can make the necessary offensive adjustments and sustain them against major-league pitching.

The immediate goal in Louisville will be to help Marte regain his confidence while receiving consistent at-bats. He has already proven that he can dominate Triple-A pitching, so statistics alone will not determine whether the assignment is successful. The Reds will want to see improved swing decisions, more consistent contact and an approach capable of translating to the majors.

There is still time for Marte to develop into a productive major-league player. However, his second demotion of the season is another reminder that Cincinnati can no longer build its outfield around potential alone.