Former standout Ole Miss shortstop Grae Kessinger has found a new professional home.
Kessinger, a former All-SEC infielder, has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks by the Houston Astros. The Astros acquired right-handed pitcher Matthew Linskey in the trade.
After being selected by the Astros in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Kessinger went on to spend much of his time in the club’s farm system. Over his professional career in the majors and minors, he has combined to play 193 games at shortstop, 74 games at second base, 73 games at third, and 20 games at first.
Kessinger appeared in 22 games with the Astros in 2024, primarily as a pinch runner and a defensive replacement. He mainly made his mark with the Triple-A Sugar Land this past campaign. In 67 games with the Space Cowboys, Kessinger batted .262 with 13 doubles, one triple, six home runs, 22 RBIs, 30 walks, and seven stolen bases.
Welcome to Arizona, Grae Kessinger! pic.twitter.com/i12v4o5Sof
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) January 8, 2025
At Ole Miss, the star infielder rounded out his time under Mike Bianco’s guidance with a three-year career batting average of .283 with 189 hits, 41 doubles, 17 home runs, 103 RBIs, 97 walks, and 26 stolen bases. Best known for his defense, he had .957 career fielding percentage at the collegiate level.
Kessinger, the grandson of six-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner Don Kessinger, has played in 49 career major league games — all with Houston — in the last two seasons. That could soon change as he embarks on a new journey in the desert.
