Stuart Fairchild looking for a second chance to make a first impression with the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds originally drafted Stuart Fairchild in the second-round of the 2017 MLB Draft, so the front office obviously saw potential in the Wake Forest alum. Since returning to the Reds organization, Fairchild has been crushing the ball in the minors and a call-up to the big leagues might not be far behind.

Fairchild, along with former utility player Josh VanMeter, was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks just before the trade deadline in 2020. The Reds, desperate for bullpen help, acquired Archie Bradley in return.

Fairchild was added to the D-backs 40-man roster during the 2020-21 offseason and made his major league debut for Arizona in 2021. He played in just 12 games and in only 17 at-bats recorded just two hits while seeing time at all three outfield positions.

Earlier this spring, Fairchild was traded to the Seattle Mariners, and not a month was dealt once again to the San Francisco Giants. Oddly enough, Giants sent former Reds infielder Alex Blandino along with cash considerations to the Emerald City in order to bring Fairchild to the Bay Area.

Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild is mashing at Triple-A.

Stuart Fairchild was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds just last month and was assigned to Triple-A Louisville. Since debuting for the Bats, Fairchild has done nothing but absolutely crush opposing pitching.

Fairchild is 13-for-43 since arriving in the Derby City and has five home runs and nine RBIs in just 12 games. Fairchild has three multi-hit games during that span, including a three-hit performance last Friday that left the 26-year-old just a double short of hitting for the cycle.

According to FanGraphs, Fairchild has an incredible 1.054 OPS and a wRC+ of 168. Fairchild doesn't have a great deal of swing-and-miss in his game, but he doesn't take a ton of walks either. However, his minor league slash line of .274/.360/.449 is very encouraging and at Triple-A Fairchild has posted a .935 OPS.

The season progresses, we're likely to see a lot of changes to the Cincinnati Reds roster, and it would be very surprising if Stuart Fairchild isn't added to the active roster at some point this season. He profiles similarly to TJ Friedl and Jake Fraley, but as a right-handed hitter. Fairchild's ceiling is likely that of a rotational or fourth outfielder with the speed and glove to contribute in the field.