Top MLB Prospect Noelvi Marte Receives 80-Game PED Suspension

One of baseball’s top young talents will have to wait a longer time than expected to showcase his talents in the regular season.

Cincinnati Reds third baseman and top prospect Noelvi Marte was suspended by the MLB for 80 games last Friday. Marte tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone. While he can participate in all spring training activities, he is barred from regular season action until the middle of the 2024 campaign.

This is a blow to the Reds’ early-season hopes. Cincinnati was widely predicted to rise in the NL Central standings this year with the young core of Marte, Elly De La Cruz and Matt McLain. The team was looking to build off a surprising 82-win last season – now they will start 2024 without their top prospect who was expected to break out.

Reds general manager David Bell seemed to have hope that when Marte eventually plays in the regular season he will have fully moved on from the suspension. “When he does come back, he’s going to be welcomed back with open arms, and it’s going to be over,” he told MLB.com.

Former Cincinnati Reds star Joey Votto commented on Saturday about Marte’s suspension during his physical with the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Florida. He expressed that he was close with the young prospect and stressed the significance of Marte missing valuable playing time.

“During that window of time, they must get games, at-bats, plate appearances, time, defense, base running, reps, reps, reps,” Votto said, referring to the importance of Marte to get playing time at the start of his career.

Marte hit .279/.358/.454 alongside 11 homers and 18 steals in 92 games during his time with the Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Louisville teams. Then when called up to the Reds last season, he continued to play strong, posting 316/.366/.456 with three homers and six steals in 35 games.