3 Reds who will make the 2024 Opening Day roster but won’t last the season

Stuart Fairchild, OF

Stuart Fairchild is in a very similar boat to Jose Barrero. Though not as highly-regarded as a prospect, the outfielder is also out of options and will have to remain on the active roster throughout the entire 2024 campaign in order to stick around.

Fairchild is in for fight this spring. Not only will he be jockeying for a roster spot with Barrero, but there are a couple of non-roster invitees who'll be trying to knock Fairchild off the 40-man roster. Erik Gonzalez, Josh Harrison, Conner Capel, and even outfield prospect Blake Dunn will be looking to secure a spot on the Reds Opening Day roster.

Fairchild will have a chance during spring training, and may be in the best spot to secure that final spot on the Reds roster. After being waived by the San Francisco Giants in 2022, Fairchild has remained with the organization that originally drafted him back in 2017. But with other talented players coming up through the Cincinnati farm system, Fairchild's ability to stick over the entire season is in jeopardy.

Fairchild's speed will work in his favor, but the Reds added that element in the form of another player after recently picking up Bubba Thompson off waivers from the Minnesota Twins. Cincinnati also has Nick Martini, Rece Hinds, and Jacob Hurtubise on the 40-man roster as well, and each of them have minor-league options remaining.

Stuart Fairchild is a fine fit, and could work his way onto the Opening Day roster, but unless he turns into an absolute masher against left-handed pitching, you have to squint pretty hard to seem him remaining in the Reds clubhouse by the time September rolls around.