The Cincinnati Reds kicked off their Spring Training schedule with a 5-2 loss to the San Francisco Giants, a matchup that foreshadows their Opening Day clash on March 27. Despite the defeat, Santiago Espinal's smart base running on a balk and Noelvi Marte's sacrifice fly highlighted moments of potential from the Reds' lineup. Marte's fly brought in a run after Rece Hinds' impressive triple, showcasing his ongoing bid for a roster spot after a promising debut last season.

Cam Collier, another prospect aiming for the Opening Day roster, made an impression with a double in his first at-bat, suggesting he could play a significant role this spring. Nick Martinez impressed on the mound, throwing two scoreless innings and striking out three. The Reds are set to face the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers next, with Carson Spiers slated to start.

Noelvi Marte, once a top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds, is currently in a challenging position regarding the team's starting third base role. Reports indicate that he has been relegated to working out with minor leaguers during spring training, indicating a likely start in Triple-A. Manager Terry Francona emphasized that Marte must earn his place, which could benefit his development. After returning from a PED suspension in 2024, Marte struggled at the plate, hitting just .210 with four homers in 229 at-bats, raising concerns about his readiness for the big leagues.

The Reds' options for the third base position include Jeimer Candelario and Christian Encarnacion-Strand, along with other versatile candidates. Marte, at only 23, still has time to improve his game and potentially reclaim his status as a valuable asset for the Reds in the near future.

FanGraphs has unveiled its projections for the Cincinnati Reds in 2025, suggesting the team is likely to hover around a .500 win-loss record. Elly De La Cruz is expected to be the standout performer, projected to achieve an fWAR of 5.0 with a batting line of .263/.335/.472, including 25 home runs and 54 stolen bases. Matt McLain, returning from shoulder surgery, is anticipated to be the second-best player with an fWAR of 4.0 and a batting average of .254.

While the catching duo of Tyler Stephenson and Jose Trevino is projected to contribute significantly with a combined fWAR of 3.6, the overall lineup is seen as underwhelming. The third base position, manned by Noelvi Marte, Santiago Espinal, and Jeimer Candelario, is forecasted to have the lowest fWAR on the team at just 0.7. On the pitching front, Hunter Greene is projected to maintain a solid performance, with a record of 8-7 and a 3.62 ERA.

However, the Reds' bullpen is viewed negatively, with a combined fWAR of -0.3, highlighting a need for improvement. The projections echo fan sentiments, indicating the necessity for the Reds to bolster their roster if they aim to contend effectively in 2025.

The baseball landscape is shifting with significant trades and signings affecting player values, especially at third base. This article examines key players whose fantasy stock is rising or falling, providing insights for dynasty leagues.

Jordan Westburg of the Baltimore Orioles is highlighted as a buy opportunity despite an injury, while Josh Jung of the Texas Rangers raises concerns about his future potential. Other players like Noelvi Marte and Isaac Paredes are also discussed in terms of their fluctuating values.

Major League Baseball reported only two positive tests for performance-enhancing drugs in the year concluding with the World Series, a significant drop from previous years. The total number of tests conducted was 11,609, which includes both urine and blood samples.

Among the positive tests, Cincinnati Reds infielder Noelvi Marté received an 80-game suspension for boldenone, while Toronto Blue Jays infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for clomiphene. The report also noted a consistent low in exemptions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.