By Kelly – June 6, 2025
With Christian Encarnacion-Strand sidelined for over a week, the Cincinnati Reds have taken the opportunity to shake up their lineup—and that shift may be revealing a long-awaited power spark.
In his absence, Noelvi Marte has stepped into a more prominent role, getting consistent starts at third base and designated hitter. Once one of the organization’s most hyped prospects, Marte is beginning to show glimpses of the power and presence the Reds hoped for when he debuted.
Through a demanding June stretch with games nearly every day, manager David Bell has tactically rotated regulars and opened up more plate appearances for young bats like Marte. The added playing time is paying off—his strikeouts are down, plate discipline is improving, and hard contact is becoming more frequent.
Though Marte hasn’t exploded statistically just yet, the recent stretch has helped him shake off early rust and hint at the game-changing ability that once put him on top prospect lists. His performance is giving the Reds valuable insight into who can step up and fill the offensive hole left by Encarnacion-Strand’s absence—and possibly more.
This audition is coming at the perfect time. As the Reds remain locked in a tight NL Central race, identifying a long-term middle-of-the-order threat is key. If Marte’s progress continues, Cincinnati may have just found its next breakout slugger—one capable of anchoring the lineup for seasons to come.
