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(Press Release)
The Southern Illinois Miners are proud to announce the signing of outfielder Wendell Fairley.
Fairley, 26, was a first round draft pick of the World Champion San Francisco Giants in the 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The 29th overall selection that year, Fairley is considered a five-tool player with great speed. Scouting reports describe him as a “plus” runner with a quick lefty stroke and raw pull power who is just scratching the surface of his potential. ESPN’s Keith Law, then with Scouts, Inc., called him a “top 10-15 talent.”
Born in Mississippi, Fairley was a two-sport star at George County High School. He played five seasons in the Giants organization, rising to the Double-A level. His best season came in 2010 when he batted .292 with 46 RBIs at High-A San Jose, helping the team to a California League Championship. In Double-A in 2011, he hit .265 for Richmond in the Eastern League with a .321 on-base percentage. While in the Giants organization, Fairley was a teammate of 2014 Miners all-star shortstop Ryan Cavan.
“In addition to hearing what a great talent he is, Wendell is described by many to me as the consummate team player,” Miners manager Mike Pinto said. “Ryan Cavan really thought Wendell would be a great fit or what we look for in a Miner. People I have spoken with say his tools are unquestioned and his talents have been compared to a number of major league stars. We are hoping we can help him further his development and help get him back to a major league organization as he helps us toward looking to win a championship in 2015.”
