Stuart Fairchild DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Atlanta Braves acquired outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Cincinnati Reds on Monday in exchange for cash considerations, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano. In a corresponding move to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Fairchild, the team moved right-handed reliever Joe Jimenez (knee) to the 60-day injured list. Fairchild will head to the National League East to serve as outfield depth for the Braves after they learned on Monday that left fielder Jurickson Profar is being suspended for 80 games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. While Bryan De La Cruz should become Atlanta's primary left fielder for the time being, the 29-year-old Fairchild could also see some playing time there. He's mostly a glove-first player, though, as he's slashed only .224/.308/.389 with 18 homers, 66 RBI and 23 steals in 249 games over four MLB seasons.

The Cincinnati Reds designated outfielder Stuart Fairchild for assignment on Wednesday, per The Cincinnati Enquirer's Charlie Goldsmith. Even with Austin Hays (calf) opening the year on the injured list, Fairchild is the odd man out in Cincy's outfield to begin the year after both Blake Dunn and Jacob Hurtubise made the Opening Day roster. The move comes after Fairchild hit just .132 (5-for-38) with two doubles, two RBI, two stolen bases and 13 strikeouts in 45 plate appearances over 21 Cactus League games this spring. The 29-year-old also hit just .215/.286/.368 with a .654 OPS, eight home runs, 30 RBI and 13 stolen bases in 94 games in 2024 in his second full season with the team. He has been a below-average hitter in his four MLB seasons, but he does have speed and can play pretty much anywhere in the outfield, so he should attract interest from outfield-needy teams on waivers.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild (thumb) made another start in center field on Wednesday in a Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Angels. It's Fairchild's third game of the spring -- he went 0-for-5 with a strikeout in his first two contests -- since having surgery on his right thumb late last season. The 28-year-old appears to be a full-go this spring as he competes for a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2025. In 94 games in 2024 in his second season with the Reds, Fairchild hit just .215/.286/.368 with a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 33 runs scored in 233 trips to the plate. With no minor-league options left, he's a good bet to be on the team's Opening Day roster in a reserve role. In his time in the big leagues, he's been a below-average hitter with poor plate discipline. His glove is his strength for the Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds moved outfielder Stuart Fairchild (thumb) to the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, effectively ending his season. The Reds also selected the contract of left-hander Evan Kravetz from Triple-A Louisville and optioned right-hander Casey Legumina to Louisville. A left-thumb sprain landed Fairchild on the 10-day IL on Tuesday, but now the 28-year-old outfielder will miss the final month of the season while needing to go under the knife. In a platoon role in Cincy's outfield in 2024 in his fourth big-league season, Fairchild wasn't a fantasy option in mixed leagues, slashing a weak .215/.286/.368 with a below-average .654 OPS, a career-high eight home runs, 30 RBI and a career-high 13 stolen bases in 94 games played. Fairchild remains more useful in real life for his defense than for his bat. Until Jake Fraley (knee) returns this weekend, rookie Rece Hinds could see more run for the Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds activated outfielder Stuart Fairchild (back) from the 10-day injured list on Friday and designated infielder Edwin Rios for assignment in a corresponding move. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will need to check back soon to see if Fairchild is back in Cincy's starting lineup for Friday's series opener against the hosting Washington Nationals to begin the second half of the season. The 28-year-old outfielder has been out since July 7 with a spine disc injury but should return to seeing pretty regular playing time, at least until TJ Friedl (hamstring) returns from the IL later this month. Fairchild is more valuable for his glove work in the outfield and his speed for the Reds than he is for his bat, as he's slashing just .224/.298/.347 with five home runs, 23 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 170 at-bats this year.