3 rising stars who could lift Cincinnati Reds back into postseason
Every club is fired up for a shot at a World Series championship as spring training gets underway, and new players are eager to establish themselves in the major leagues.
and their youthful core will aim to make their second playoff appearance since 2014 after narrowly missing out on the postseason in 2023.
These three young players will try to have an effect on the Reds in 2024.
Reds second baseman Matt McLain, who was limited to just 89 games in his rookie season, demonstrated that he was a valuable asset going forward with 43 extra-base hits and 14 steals.
Rookie Matt McLain had a 3.7 WAR in 89 games in 2023.
The list of players who recently accumulated a WAR of 3.5+ in 90 or less games is quite impressive.#MLB ⎸ #Reds pic.twitter.com/adDqLBvhE8
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) October 4, 2023
Playing in a ballpark built to score runs, McLain and rookie shortstop Elly De La Cruz provided the spark that almost led to a Reds playoff appearance last year.
The 2021 first-round draft pick is primed to have a monster season at second base. McLain will be a household name before the 2024 season ends, and he has a bright future ahead of him.
Congrats to Noelvi Marte on his first big league homer! pic.twitter.com/qrYiNOPA8i
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) September 6, 2023
Andrew Abbott, pitcher
Another member of the players making his MLB debut in 2023, pitcher Andrew Abbott, provided the Reds with a much-needed presence on the mound after injuries and underperformance plagued the club.
Allowing three runs or less in 17 of his 21 starts, the 24-year-old left-hander was the best pitcher on the Reds team, although he seemed to fade towards the end of the season.
Joining a rotation that has multiple first-round picks including 2017 second-overall pick Hunter Greene and 2019 seventh-overall pick pitcher Nick Lodolo, Abbott will look to continue to give the Reds reliable innings in 2024.
If he can cut down on his walks allowed, Abbott could be one of the best pitchers in the National League Central for years to come in Cincinnati.
Quite the pitch sequence from @andrewabbott33… pic.twitter.com/AoKJmGrxd6
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) June 10, 2023
Yet another Reds prospect to make their MLB debut in 2023, shortstop Noelvi Marte was explosive in his small sample of play.
Marte demonstrated the glimpses of brilliance that made him the key return element in the transaction that sent pitcher Luis Castillo to the Seattle Mariners at the 2022 MLB trade deadline. In 35 games played for the Reds, he had 10 extra-base hits and 15 RBI.
The Reds won’t push the 22-year-old Marte through spring training after he hurt his hamstring during winter ball. But once he’s well, they’ll need to make room for his bat in their packed lineup.
Although Marte will have the opportunity to camp out with the major league team, the depth the Reds currently have in the infield means he’ll probably have to start the season in the minors.
