Reds News: Noelvi Marte offseason plans, GABP attendance, top prospect's AFL debut

Bleacher Report recently revealed each MLB team's biggest surprise and biggest disappointment from the 2026 season. The outlet tabbed JJ Bleday as the Cincinnati Reds' biggest surprise, but had a lengthy list to sort through in order to find the team's biggest disappointment. They landed on the Noelvi Marte.

It's difficult to argue against that selection. Marte was the Reds' Opening Day right fielder, but after a horrendous start to the year, he was optioned to Triple-A Louisville in favor of former outfield slugger Rece Hinds. Marte ended the season hitting .189/.229/.321 across 63 games, and for the second time in three seasons, posted a negative fWAR (-1.4).

Reds News: Noelvi Marte heads to Dominican Winter League for a tuneup

On Monday, Gigantes del Cibao shared a video to their social media page with the caption, "This just keeps getting better! Noelvi Marte is already here and ready to bring the heat to this new week."

This is hardly a surprising development given how poorly Marte played in 2026. But it offers Reds fans a little insight as to the team's plans for their former top prospect heading into 2027. Though no one would begrudge the Reds from simply moving on and outrighting Marte off the 40-man roster, there's reason to believe his career can still be salvaged.

Marte is one of the most athletically-gifted players in the Reds organization. He has the speed-power combo that most front offices dream of, and plenty of arm strength to play above-average defense in the outfield. But his lack of plate discipline has caused his career to crater. Perhaps a tuneup in the Domincan Winter League will give him a leg up heading into 2027.

Reds News: Great American Ball Park attendance hits a four-year low

It turns out that Reds fans want to see winning baseball. The Reds released their final attendance numbers from the 2026 season and the figures are a reflection of the product on the field.

During the Reds' return to the postseason in 2025, an average of 26,967 fans attended each of the team's 81 home games. That number dipped to 24,588 in 2026, meaning 192,699 fewer fans came through the turnstiles at GABP in 2026.

The Reds' ownership group can expect those numbers to go even lower in 2027 if they fail to put a winning-product on the field. That's questionable at best given the team's current roster construction, and it puts a lot of pressure on Nick Krall and Brad Meador this offseason.

Reds News: Luke Holman shines Arizona Fall League debut

The Arizona Fall League began this past week, and several Reds prospects took the field out west with the eye toward improving their stock heading into the offseason. One such player is right-handed pitcher Luke Holman who took the mound for the Peoria Javelinas on Monday.

Holman spent most of the 2026 season on the injured list after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2025, and only appeared in four games at the Arizona Complex League back in July. He was the 71st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, but has than 16 innings of work since turning pro.

Holman looked sharp in his AFL debut, going two inning and striking out four batters. He allowed just one run on two hits and didn't issue a walk. The Reds are simply looking to get Holman through the AFL season unscathed, and the hope is that he'll have a chance to ascend through the minor leagues in 2027.

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