The Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired infielder Grae Kessinger from the Houston Astros in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matthew Linskey. This transaction leaves the D-backs’ 40-man roster at 38 players.
Grae Kessinger:
- Age: 27
- Bats/Throws: Right/Right
- Height/Weight: 6’1″, 204 lbs
- Professional Career:
- Has played 193 games at shortstop, 74 at second base, 73 at third base, and 20 at first base across the Minors and Majors.
- Appeared in 22 games with the Astros in 2024, primarily as a pinch runner and defensive replacement.
- In 2024, across the Minors and Majors, he started 27 games at shortstop, 17 at third base, 13 at first, and 4 at second.
- Spent most of the 2024 season with Triple-A Sugar Land, batting .262 (69-for-263) with a .337 OBP, .388 SLG, and .725 OPS, including 13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 22 RBI, 30 walks, and 7 stolen bases.
- Made his MLB debut with Houston in 2023.
- Over 5 Minor League seasons with the Astros, he hit .234 (323-for-1,383) with a .332 OBP, .362 SLG, and .694 OPS, accumulating 55 doubles, 3 triples, 39 homers, 161 RBI, 191 walks, and 53 stolen bases.
- Family Legacy: Grandson of Don Kessinger, a 6-time All-Star shortstop and 2-time Gold Glove Award winner with the Cubs.
Matthew Linskey:
- Drafted: Selected by the D-backs in 2023.
- Minor League Career: Pitched in parts of 2 Minor League seasons before the trade.
This acquisition showcases the D-backs’ strategy in bolstering their infield depth and overall team strength for the upcoming seasons.
