GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Noelvi Marte came into Spring Training on the inside track to be the Reds' everyday right fielder. But with just over two weeks before Opening Day, Marte hasn't sealed the deal just yet.
After making a midseason conversion from third base to right field in July last season, Marte looked raw but drew praise for being naturally talented and instinctual. He even made a game-and-season-saving catch to rob a home run vs. the Pirates on Sept. 25. However, after a full offseason of outfield preparation, Marte has still made some mistakes and misjudged a few balls during camp.
“We want him to be a really good right fielder because if he is, we’re a better team," manager Terry Francona said Wednesday prior to the Reds’ 6-3 win vs. the Brewers at Goodyear Ballpark. "Saying that, he’s got to be our best right fielder. We certainly think he’s capable. I do think there’s some more to show. We’ve told him that.”
On Monday in the first inning vs. the A's, Marte took a first step inward on a drive to right field before attempting to recover and running towards the wall. The ball zipped over his head for a double.
“One, this is a hard place to play outfield so if you’re going to get exposed, it’ll happen here," Francona said. "Sometimes I just think it’s paying attention to detail. He’s pretty gifted athletically and I think that’s why we felt good about him in the outfield. I think that’s why he’s way more comfortable there. But saying that, it’s anticipating.
"When you’re at third, you’re ready for ‘right now.’ Sometimes when you’re in the outfield, you start getting flat-footed and then one ball comes to you and it can be the game. We’ve definitely tried to impress upon him that he’s got to think ahead. He is athletic but you don’t want guys to react. You want him to be proactive and ready to know what’s [going to happen]. It just slows the game down.”
In a promising development, Marte seemed to turn things around defensively on Wednesday vs. the Brewers. In the third inning, he successfully tracked and caught a Luis Rengifo opposite-field fly that tailed into the right-field corner.
“I appreciate the defense," said Reds starter Andrew Abbott, who pitched 3 2/3 innings of two-run ball Wednesday. "It’s not easy moving positions, especially when he did it just last year. He’s a hard worker. It takes a lot to do that and offensively, he’s always been a weapon.”
In the fifth inning with Emilio Pagán on the mound, Marte made an even better play by perfectly reading Sal Frelick's long drive to the wall before making a tough catch at the warning track.
“You know, it’s a challenge, being in Arizona with the wind and everything else," Marte said via translator Eric Gonzalez. "But I’m extremely happy just to be fighting for a full-time position.”
The Reds have multiple outfield options in camp with Will Benson, JJ Bleday and Dane Myers all having strong showings both offensively and defensively thus far. Those three and non-roster first baseman Nathaniel Lowe were also among those in the mix for three available bench spots.
If he doesn't secure the regular right-field job, Marte could become the odd man out.
"We have great teammates, great athletes in the outfield," Marte said. "It’s just my job to try to do the best. I feel it’s the manager’s decision. We have plenty of competition.”
A right-handed hitter, Marte batted .263 with a .748 OPS, 14 homers and 51 RBIs in 90 games last season. This spring, he is 8-for-29 (.276) with a .921 OPS and two homers. Cincinnati is also hoping Marte has better showings this season vs. left-handed pitching. In 2025, he had an .821 OPS and 13 homers vs. righties but a .562 OPS and one homer against lefties.
On Wednesday in his first plate appearance against Milwaukee lefty starter Robert Gasser, Marte slugged a 3-0 fastball to left field for a leadoff homer in the second inning. In the third inning against another lefty, reliever Jesús Broca, Marte scorched a two-out, two-run double to the left-field wall.
“I’ve been working really hard in the cage hitting," said Marte, who went 2-for-3. "I think one of the things that improved my timing and everything. I didn’t get to see many lefties, mainly righties. But I’ve been working and I feel comfortable.”
Marte, 24, has no plans to take his foot off the gas in the closing days of camp.
“Yeah, of course. I need to just continue," Marte said. "I’m never going to lay back and go through the motions. I need to continue working and prove myself that I belong.”