Multifaceted Noelvi Marte Is A Key Part Of Mariners’ Future

Noelvi Marte’s electrifying combination of raw power, hitting prowess and natural athleticism was on full display last season in his stateside debut.

The prized shortstop from the Dominican Republic hit .273/.366/.460 with 17 home runs and 24 stolen bases across two levels—mostly with Low-A Modesto before a late stint with High-A Everett.

And he did so at age 19.

“He can hit. He (can) hit for power. He can run. He can steal bases. He can defend at a premium spot on the field,” Mariners senior director of baseball development Andy McKay said last September. “And he’s doing it all at a very young age for the level he’s at.

“So you put all those things together—and you start kind of looking at historical comparisons to other players of his age doing what he’s doing—and it becomes pretty exciting quickly.”

Marte also impressed the Mariners with his handling of adversity.

After storming through the first two months, he batted just .219 during a rough July. But he climbed out of the slump and closed strong, hitting .281 in August and September.

“You have to learn how to get out of (a slump),” McKay said. “. . . Over the course of a long season, it’s gonna happen to you multiple times. And obviously he showed his ability to rebound from that.”

For Marte, the biggest question is his defense and whether he’ll ultimately need to move to third base.

Marte struggled defensively in his 2019 pro debut, committing 30 errors in 63 games. But he showed strides last season, with 30 errors in 99 games.

“He has made improvements each year,” McKay said. “And we feel like he’s on a trajectory where, if he keeps making the improvements that he’s making, he’ll be able to stick and continue to play shortstop.”

Marte, now 20, is expected to begin this season in High-A Everett.

“We believe in the skills,” McKay said. “We believe in the person. And (he’s) a major part of what we’re trying to accomplish in terms of winning in Seattle.”

 

MARINADE

— Lazaro Montes, a 17-year-old outfielder from Cuba, headlines the Mariners’ international signing class. The touted lefthanded hitter has a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and considerable raw power.

— The Mariners named new managers for three of their four affiliates. Tim Federowicz, a former eight-year big league catcher, is Triple-A Tacoma’s new manager. Eric Farris, who managed Low-A Modesto last season, was promoted to High-A Everett’s manager. Austin Knight, who guided the Mariners’ Arizona Complex League team last year, takes over as Modesto’s skipper

 

— Lazaro Montes, a 17-year-old outfielder from Cuba, headlines the Mariners’ international signing class. The highly touted left-handed-hitting slugger has a 6-foot-4, 210-pound frame and considerable raw power.

— The Mariners named new managers for three of their four affiliates. Tim Federowicz, a former eight-year major leaguer, is Triple-A Tacoma’s new manager. Eric Farris, who managed Low-A Modesto last season, was promoted to High-A Everett’s manager. Austin Knight, who guided the Mariners’ Arizona Complex League team last year, takes over as Modesto’s skipper