Reds infielder Noelvi Marte just keeps hitting in Winter League debut

He just keeps hitting. Noelvi Marte, who made his big league debut for the Cincinnati Reds during the last few weeks of the 2023 season, got off to a hot start in the Dominican Winter League.

Marte, who's suiting up for the Gigantes del Cibao in the DOWL, helped lead his squad to a 5-0 victory over Licey on Tuesday night after going 3-for-4 with a double, two singles, an RBI, and a run scored.

The Reds appear to have a keeper in Marte, who only played in 35 games last season for Cincinnati. Marte is the odds-on favorite to be the Reds starting third baseman when the 2024 season begins in late-March.

Reds infielder Noelvi Marte just keeps hitting in Winter League debut

Interestingly enough, Noelvi Marte actually got the start at shortstop during his Dominican Winter League debut on Tuesday. It seems unlikely that Marte would play the position in 2024, though Reds fans could conceivably see the 22-year-old split time at his natural postion and the hot corner.

Regardless of where he lines up defensively, it's Marte's bat that will get him everyday reps in the Cincinnati Reds lineup. Marte, who still maintains rookie eligiblity heading into next season, ended his first year in the majors with a 16-game hitting-streak.

Fans will remember that Marte came to Cincinnati by way of a trade with the Seattle Mariners. Marte, along with fellow infielder Edwin Arroyo, was part of a trade package that enabled the Mariners to land right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo. At the moment, that trade looks to be a win-win for both organizations.

Noelvi Marte hit .316/.366/.456 in his first 114 at-bats. Heading into next season, Marte could be a fixture in the middle of the Reds lineup as the team looks to build on their success from last season.