Nice slo-mo on the two homers at the end. Love the catcher's reaction starting at 1:01
http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/...est-university
Stuart Fairchild is from Seattle, Washington, and could have been a top five rounds pick in the 2014 draft were it not for his strong academics and commitment to Wake Forest University. Instead he lasted until the 38th round where he was selected by the Washington Nationals.
He didn’t sign, made his way to college, then hit .349/.429/.497 as a freshman in 2015. His 2016 sophomore season wasn’t quite as good, .293/.403/.470, and he struggled somewhat during the ‘16 Cape Cod League (.232/.323/.330, seven walks, 29 strikeouts in 112 at-bats).
2017 has been his best season yet: .350/.430/.602 with 13 homers, 16 steals, 26 walks, 46 strikeouts in 226 at-bats.
Fairchild is listed at 6-0, 205, a right-handed hitter and thrower born March 17th, 1996.http://www.journalnow.com/sports/wak...f39bf04c5.htmlFairchild offers an intriguing set of physical tools, notably above-average 60-grade speed that he uses very well on the bases and in the outfield. He is an extremely reliable defensive outfielder, making only four errors in his entire college career, while showing the range and instincts to handle center field. Arm strength grades range from 45 to 55 depending on the source, but all agree that the arm is accurate.
As a hitter Fairchild is strong enough to hit for substantial power and has done so this spring, setting career-best marks in home runs and slugging percentage. He’s shown some willingness to work counts and if everything works out he could be a multi-category contributor with speed, power, OBP, and defense. His makeup and intelligence are also positives.
Center fielder Stuart Fairchild of Wake Forest has been lashing line drives and deep flies from the day he first stepped into the batter’s box at Couch Ballpark, which is really remarkable given his condition upon arrival.
“When he came in as a freshman, he had a broken ankle the first month he was here,” teammate Gavin Sheets said Monday. “We all went to hit on the field, and I remember he had a little scooter for his foot.
“He put his foot up on a bucket and took (batting practice) with us. And he was hitting balls as hard as anybody. That’s when I knew he was a pretty special player.”