Noel B Marte

Noel B Marte (22), a top prospect for the Cincinnati Reds of the Major League Baseball (MLB), was caught taking banned substances.

MLB.com reported on the 9th (Korean time) that Marte tested positive for boldenone, a performance-enhancing substance, and was banned from playing 80 games.

Marte’s disciplinary action will begin from the opening game of the 2024 season, and even if Cincinnati advances to the postseason, he will not be able to be included in the roster.

Marte, who is from the Dominican Republic, wore a Cincinnati uniform through a trade from the Seattle Mariners in the second half of last year.

As soon as he transferred, he attracted a lot of attention by recording a batting average of 0.316, 3 home runs, 15 RBI, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.822 in 35 games.

Marte also showed outstanding ability in defense, switching between shortstop and second base.

Not only is he the best prospect for the Cincinnati team this season, but he also ranked third in the Rookie of the Year prediction poll conducted among 30 front offices in January, following Yoshinobu Yamamoto (pitcher, Los Angeles Dodgers) and Jackson Churio (outfielder, Milwaukee Brewers). It received high praise.

Marte, who showed outstanding talent in the minor leagues by recording a batting average of 0.282 and an OPS of 0.834 over four seasons, was expected to be a future major league star, but suffered a major blemish due to an unexpected banned substance. 스포츠토토