This Reds player could quietly follow Andrew Abbott’s path to All-Star status

The Cincinnati Reds had two representatives in this year's All-Star Game in Atlanta. Elly De La Cruz appeared in the Midsummer Classic for the second time in his career, and is considered by many to be a shoo-in for an All-Star nod almost every year going forward. The Reds electric shortstop has name recognition and a flashy style that garners tons of attention.

Andrew Abbott, however, had to grind throughout the first-half of the season just to receive the recognition, and even then, was a late-addition to the NL squad. The Reds' lefty made quick work of the opposition during his lone inning on Tuesday, and mowed down the AL lineup 1-2-3.

Abbott was a bit of an underrated All-Star this season. Nobody saw him coming. Who'll be the next Reds' player to emerge from obscurity and find his way onto the brightest stage in baseball? While players like Chase Burns and even Matt McLain could be trendy picks to make the All-Star team in 2026, Noelvi Marte could be on his way to an All-Star appearance next season.

Reds infielder Noelvi Marte could quietly follow Andrew Abbott’s path to All-Star status

Marte showed flashes of All-Star potential in 2023 when he made his MLB debut in late-summer. Marte showed tremendous bat-to-ball skills, above-average speed, and plenty of power during his introduction to the big leagues over the final month of the 2023 campaign.

It all fell apart, however, when he was popped with an 80-game suspension to begin the 2024 season. The Reds were blindsided by Marte's failed PED test, which resulted in the third baseman missing the first-half of the season. Upon his return, Marte looked like a shell of the player fans remembered from his debut in 2023. He ended last season hitting just .210/.248/.301 with a 48 wRC+.

But this season, Marte has returned with a vengeance. The 23-year-old began the year in the minor leagues, but after Christian Encarnacion-Strand landed on the IL, Marte was recalled to the big leagues and made sure to show Terry Francona and the rest of the Reds' brass that he had no intention of going back to the minors.

Though he battled an oblique injury midway through the season, Marte has still hit .284/.337/.547 with six home runs, 23 RBI, and a 138 wRC+. His defense is still a work in progress, but Marte's cut down on the strikeouts and is squaring the ball up with regularity.

Abbott was known to Reds fans prior to the All-Star Game, and the southpaw is now a household name throughout Major League Baseball. Look for Marte to follow a similar path in 2026.

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