Reds power rankings: Who is the best outfielder heading into the offseason?

5. Stuart Fairchild, Reds outfielder

Stuart Fairchild is an easy guy to root for. Much while he was a former second-round draft pick, Fairchild has had to work very hard to make it to the big leagues. Fairchild is a versatile defender with a lot of speed.

Fairchild is a very good base runner; an underrated aspect of most players in Major League Baseball. However, that and his defense may be the best aspect of Fairchild's game. The outfielder's performance at the dish leaves a lot to be desired.

Fairchild hit just .228/.321/.388 in 219 at-bats in 2023. Stu popped five homers this past season and recorded 10 stolen bases as well. But a .709 OPS isn't really getting the job done, is it? Fairchild's performance last season was basically Joey Votto with speed.

Seeing as how Votto had one of the worst season's of his 17-year career, it's hard to excited about the long-term prospects of Fairchild in a Reds uniform. He is a right-handed hitter with some pop, but Hopkins offers the same profile and hasn't really been given a fair shake in the big leagues.

Stuart Fairchild, just like Hopkins, could be a non-tender candidate this offseason. Fairchild is a nice option as a fouth outfielder, but with the Cincinnati Reds needing some 40-man roster spots this offseason, Fairchild's future with this organization is hanging by a thread.