Baseball
Will the Cincinnati Reds' Young Core Recover in 2025?
2024-12-05
In 2023, Noelvi Marte showed certain metrics that were not overly spectacular. He had a 28.6% chase rate, a 26.3% whiff rate, and a 20.3% strikeout rate. However, in 2024, a significant change occurred. His chase rate climbed to 37.1%, the whiff rate reached 32.1%, and the strikeout rate soared to 31%. These numbers are a far cry from what was seen in the previous year. Moreover, his average exit velocity dropped from 91.3 MPH in 2023 to 87 MPH in 2024. This indicates that he was not only chasing more pitches but also missing them more frequently and not hitting the ball with the same force.
Defensive Woes and Concerns
Not only did Marte's offensive performance take a hit, but he also became a liability defensively. This added to the growing concerns about his overall game. The Reds, who once had high hopes for him as a top prospect, might be questioning whether he can ever shake off the rust from the suspension or get into the right mental state to succeed.