Stuart Fairchild Drafted 38th By the Cincinnati Reds

Centerfielder Stuart Fairchild, named a first-team All American by multiple media outlets, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds with the 38th pick in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Fairchild, a junior from Seattle, Washington, had a phenomenal junior season for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons batting .360 with 17 homers and 67 RBIs entering Monday’s continuation and game three against Florida in the Super Regionals.

A critical part of the prolific Wake Forest offense which was one of the nation’s top overall lineups, Fairchild generally batted third and complimented his ability to put the ball into play all over the field with a keen eye at the plate, speed on the base path, and a defensive prowess that cemented a talented Demon Deacon outfield.

Fairchild was 21 for 26 on stolen base attempts and did not commit a single error all season. Despite his abilities on the field, Fairchild was more of a silent leader in the clubhouse and multiple times throughout the year broadcasts discussed his quiet demeanor in comparison to several other members of the team who took a more vocal approach to rallying the troops.

While it may take some time for Fairchild to adapt to the big leagues, transitioning from the college bats to the wooden ones used in the majors, his ability to make things happen even when he is not making good contact will only be a positive moving forward. Look for him to work on gaining a slightly more discerning eye at the plate to increase his walk percentage, while also trimming down his strikeouts.

Congratulations to Stuart for being a fantastic representation of Wake Forest over the past three years and good luck in your future endeavors, you will always be one of my personal favorite Diamond Deacs and of course will always have a home in Winston-Salem.