This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon's Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DAYTON, Ohio -- Although a role player for the Reds, outfielder Stuart Fairchild found a way to frequent the highlight reels with superb defensive plays in 2024. Whether it was robbing a superstar of a home run with a leap over a wall or a former college roommate with a diving catch, Fairchild did it in spectacular fashion multiple times.

At the plate in 94 games, Fairchild batted .215 with a .654 OPS, a career-high eight home runs and 30 RBIs for Cincinnati last season. His season ended prematurely on Aug. 26 due to a left thumb sprain that required surgery.

Fairchild, who was recently part of the Reds Caravan tour to meet fans, spoke with MLB.com about his catches, his preparation for 2025 and playing for new manager Terry Francona.

MLB.com: How has your offseason been?

Fairchild: It¡¯s been good. I feel like it¡¯s flying. I started my offseason doing rehab for my thumb in Arizona. That all went great. I was down there until mid-October. The last test before they let me head out was making sure I could swing and work out and catch a ball with no issues. It was all good. Swinging, I got a little sore for the first couple of weeks, but since November on, I¡¯ve been swinging 100 percent full-go with no issues whatsoever and I feel really good.

After I got home, I got engaged. I made a little trip to Hawaii. After those events, it was time to get back to work.

MLB.com: Do you feel like you have to start over in proving yourself to a new manager as you try to make the team?

Fairchild: I¡¯d say I¡¯m kind of used to that. That¡¯s kind of what I go into Spring Training like every year. That¡¯s the expectation. I want to prove myself no matter who is on the coaching staff and put my best foot forward. With the work I put into the offseason, I feel like I give myself the best possible chance to do that. At the end of the day, that¡¯s what I can control. That¡¯s what I am focused on.

MLB.com: Are you excited to work with Francona?

Fairchild: Very. When he called me, he seemed like such a down-to-earth regular guy who loves baseball. His track record speaks for itself.

MLB.com: Your catch that robbed Manny Machado of a home run was ranked in the Top 100 plays of 2024 by MLB Network. Was it your favorite last year?

Fairchild: I think that one was my favorite. Optically, it looked like the best catch going over that short wall in San Diego. Honestly, the most difficult catch of the year was probably the one I made in Chicago when I robbed Gavin [Sheets, his Wake Forest roommate] on that line drive to the gap. The coolest catch was the one I took away from Machado.