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    Stuart Fairchild (Photo: Doug Gray)
    Photo: Doug Gray

    Reds outfielder Stuart Fairchild keeps crushing the AFL

    Doug Gray 10

    The Arizona Fall League is nearly completed, but Stuart Fairchild probably hopes that it never ends as long as he keeps on doing what he’s been doing. The Cincinnati Reds outfield prospect has been limited in his action for the Glendale Desert Dogs, playing in just eight games overall. Conner Capel, for example, has played in 21 games for Glendale this year. Fairchild seems to be on the taxi-squad, where he’s only eligible to play a few times per week rather than on a daily basis.

    Despite the inconsistent time on the field, though, the former 2nd round draft pick has taken full advantage of his at-bats. Last night he put together his third straight multi-hit game. Getting the start as the teams designated hitter, Stuart Fairchild went 3-4 with a walk, a steal, an RBI, and he scored two runs. He’s had a hit in every game except for the first one, which came back on September 20th.

    The right-handed hitting former Wake Forest outfielder is now hitting .387/.424/.516 out in Arizona with four doubles. Among players with at least 10 at-bats, he’s got the top average in the league at .387. His on-base percentage would be tied for second in the league were he to qualify, and his slugging percentage would rank seventh. His OPS would be 4th in the league.

    Tyler Stephenson is completed in the Arizona Fall League

    Teammate Tyler Stephenson has gotten more playing time, getting into 13 games for Glendale. And much like Fairchild, aside from getting to go home and enjoy the offseason and see family and friends, he was probably hoping it wouldn’t end, too. The catching prospect is hitting .347/.418/.490 – and that doesn’t include his performance in the Arizona Fall League’s Fall Stars game where he crushed a long home run.

    The Arizona Fall League season, though, is over for Tyler Stephenson. Jim Callis wrote about Stephenson’s season at MLB.com, and talked to him after the game last night where Stephenson noted it was his final game. Glendale only has two games remaining in the season.

    Doug Gray
    Doug Gray is the owner and operator of this website and has been running it since 2006 in one variation or another.

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    10 Responses

    2. Hopefully the AFL season is the springboard to propel both players to breakout seasons in 2020. An improved Fairchild helps out the CF depth in a big way. The Reds need that. Stephenson already had a good 2019, but improvement in 2020 at AAA would be just what the doctor ordered.

      2. Fairchild had 3 good years at Wake Forest when Reds drafted him in 2017.

        Now he has 3 fair to good years in Reds MiLB system. He turns 24 in ST (March 2020). He should develop and possibly get Sept 2020 callus or make it to Reds in 2021 (at age 25).

    3. Have to wonder how the success of Ty-Steve and his anticipated major league arrival date will play into decisions to upgrade the catching position this winter. Do uou pay someone big bucks for a number of years when you have a potential all star ready in 18 months?Do you give him a big league shot this season and let him split the job with Tucker like Tucker did with Mez?

      2. If you can sign Grandal then you do it. There’s not a pick attached to it. Then you’ve got a very nice tradable piece in TSteph to Include in a package to upgrade somewhere else.

        1. absolutely Koolaid. If you can get Grandal, you do it. I hope Tyler develops into a great major league catcher but he is far from being a certain all-star while Grandal already is. Sign Grandal for 3 years and let Tyler develop under him during the last 2 years of that contract.

        2. i would rather sign Grandal for 3 years and then trade him after a year and a half or two years for prospects or players of need. Then let Stephenson take over. Stephenson is much younger and i believe it would be better in the long run barring any injuries .

        3. I’m not sure 3 years is enough to lure Grandal this off season. This is his last chance to cash is big. He is going to want the greatest amount of security he can get I would imagine.

          If you can get Grandal you get him though. Catchers develop slowly and Stephenson can become a great catcher for Grandal to age with. Plus Grandal can play some 1B at times to give Votto a day off when needed. No reason both Grandal and Stephenson couldn’t get 450 at bats in a season. Then Stephenson can slowly take more and more of the role if he proves to be better behind the dish late in Grandal’s contract.

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