I’m not sure Noelvi Marte was supposed to be a Cincinnati Red in 2023. The current top prospect in the team’s system was destined to make the big leagues at some point, obviously, but he began 2023 at age 21 at the AA level, blocked by the likes of a half-dozen equally promising infielders along the way. The Baseball Gods, though, have a way of sticking their noses right in the middle of these things.
Injuries wrecked the Cincinnati infield during the second half of the season, with each of Jonathan India, Matt McLain, and Joey Votto getting sidelined for extended periods.