Reds fans shouldn’t overlook what Noelvi Marte’s position switch really means

Noelvi Marte made his first Major League start in right field over the weekend against the New York Mets. Reds manager Terry Francona mentioned that the position change had been talked about for a while, but Sunday's series finale against the Mets — with a left-hander on the mound — allowed Cincinnati to finally see Marte get his first taste of the outfield.

When word of the position change broke, most Reds fans assumed it to be a signal of the team's intentions at the MLB trade deadline. There's a lack of impact outfield bats available, but third basemen like Eugenio Suárez or Ryan McMahon are on the trade block and could help bolster the Reds' lineup for the second-half of the season.

While it's certainly possible that Reds' President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall is reading the room ahead of the July 31 deadline and looking to go after a third baseman, Marte's position change could be more reflective of Cincinnati's top prospect Sal Stewart and his impending call-up to the major leagues.

Noelvi Marte’s position switch could mean that Reds prospect Sal Stewart is on his way

Stewart was promoted to Triple-A Louisville following the MLB Futures Games during the All-Star break. The 32nd pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Stewart has ascended to the top of the Reds farm system and could become the team's secret weapon once September rolls around. In fact, Stewart could now be on the same trajectory as the player he could soon replace at third base — Marte.

Marte made his Major League debut on August 19, 2023. The Reds had a strategic reason for that date, as it allowed them to preserve Marte's rookie status while also allowing him to get big league experience during the 2023 regular season. Doing so gave Cincinnati a chance to cash in on the league's Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI), which would've handed the organization an additional draft pick if Marte secured Rookie of the Year honors in 2024.

Given Stewart's likelihood to make the Reds roster in 2026, Cincinnati is sure to allow the 21-year-old to get his feet wet this season. Rosters expand in September, but the Reds could easily find a way to squeeze Stewart onto the active roster before then if they so desired.

While Marte's move to the outfield could help Krall and Co. at the MLB trade deadline, in the grand scheme of things, the position change is more reflective of the team's confidence in Stewart.

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