A quiet Guardians pickup has scouts intrigued: a former second-round pick joins Cleveland as the team keeps stacking upside.NL
The Guardians are adding some experienced depth to their outfield picture, signing Stuart Fairchild to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to Spring Training. It’s the kind of low-risk move that could quietly pay off as Cleveland looks to round out a roster that’s still searching for more offensive production from the outfield.
Fairchild, who turns 30 in March, is no stranger to the big-league grind. A second-round pick by the Reds back in 2017, he’s bounced around the league in recent years, logging time with the Diamondbacks, Mariners, Giants, Braves, and Rays. But it was in Cincinnati where he saw the most action, suiting up in 223 games over three seasons and carving out a niche as a versatile outfielder with a bit of pop and speed.
His slash line with the Reds – .232/.316/.403 – doesn’t jump off the page, but it tells the story of a player who could hold his own at the plate, especially against left-handed pitching. In fact, Fairchild’s .256/.354/.424 line versus southpaws (good for a 114 wRC+) made him a useful platoon piece, particularly alongside lefty bats like Jake Fraley and Will Benson. Add in his ability to cover all three outfield spots and a 23-for-29 success rate on the basepaths, and it’s easy to see why he stuck around in Cincinnati as a part-time contributor.
But the numbers game caught up to him heading into 2025. The Reds brought in Austin Hays and shifted Spencer Steer into the outfield, crowding out Fairchild and ultimately leading to his designation for assignment. The Braves, dealing with Ronald Acuña Jr.’s injury and Jurickson Profar’s early-season suspension, saw an opportunity and brought Fairchild into the fold.
Unfortunately, the results in Atlanta didn’t match the opportunity. In 28 games, Fairchild hit just .216 with a .273 OBP and a 27.3% strikeout rate.
A dislocated pinkie finger sidelined him for about a month, and when he returned, the Braves had moved on. He was DFA’d in July, picked up by the Rays in a minor trade, but never made it back to a big-league field before being designated again and clearing waivers.
Now, he lands in Cleveland, where the Guardians are looking to bolster a lefty-heavy outfield that lost Lane Thomas to free agency. With Steven Kwan, Chase DeLauter, and George Valera penciled in from left to right, the Guardians have some exciting young talent – but they’re also light on right-handed options. Johnathon Rodriguez and Angel Martinez provide some balance, but Fairchild brings something they don’t: major league experience and a track record of hitting lefties.
It’s a move that makes sense for both sides. Fairchild gets a fresh start and a shot to prove he still belongs in the bigs, while the Guardians get a low-cost, high-upside depth piece who could help them address a clear area of need. Their outfield ranked 26th in MLB last season with an 87 wRC+, so even marginal upgrades could make a difference.
Whether Fairchild breaks camp with the team or starts the season in Triple-A, he gives Cleveland a layer of insurance – and if he can recapture some of the form he showed in Cincinnati, he could be more than just that.
