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Diamondbacks Acquire Grae Kessinger

By Anthony Franco | January 8, 2025 at 11:03am CDT

The D-Backs have acquired infielder Grae Kessinger from the Astros for minor league pitcher Matthew Linskey, as first reported by Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Houston had designated Kessinger for assignment before the holiday break as the corresponding move for the Christian Walker pickup. Arizona had a trio of 40-man roster spots available, so no further move was necessary. Both teams have now announced the trade.

Kessinger was Houston’s second-round pick in 2019. The righty-hitting utilityman has made 49 big league appearances over the past two seasons. Kessinger has hit .131 with one homer while striking out 19 times over his first 70 trips to the plate. The Ole Miss product has taken 524 Triple-A plate appearances over the last two years. He’s a .271/.363/.407 hitter at that level. Kessinger has walked at a strong 12.4% clip against a manageable 21.5% strikeout rate in the Pacific Coast League.

While Kessinger isn’t going to bring much power upside, his plate discipline gives him a chance to be a valuable bench piece. He was a college shortstop and has logged nearly 2000 innings there professionally. He also has significant experience at each of second and third base with limited work at first base. Kessinger still has two options remaining, allowing the Snakes to keep him at Triple-A Reno for a while.

Linskey, 22, is a 6’7″ righty reliever. He turned in a 2.78 earned run average over 32 1/3 innings in the low minors last season. He posted a massive 38.3% strikeout rate but also walked 12% of batters faced. Linskey was a 16th-round draftee out of Rice in 2023.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Houston Astros Transactions Grae Kessinger

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View Comments (28)
Post a Comment

28 Comments

  1. letsgooakland123

    9 months ago

    If the DBacks needed anything it was more outfield depth.

    /s

    2
    Reply
  2. TAKERDBACKS

    9 months ago

    Just a minors move but I am waiting for a hitter and bullpen piece. We are missing one more good hitter. Dbacks have alot of what it’s with erod, gallen, kelly who all get injured. We need depth

    Reply
    • troglodita

      9 months ago

      the trade will probably be Merrill Kelly and a lower A player for Ryan Mountcastle.

      I’m also hoping for Yiler Diaz to STL for Helsley.

      Reply
      • TAKERDBACKS

        9 months ago

        Kelly will never be traded unless we are out. He is so Valuable and before Burnes the most clutch pitcher on the staff. Reminded me of Curt. Dude can pitch in any hostile environment in a big game.

        2
        Reply
        • scottaz

          9 months ago

          Takers

          I really like Kelly too, but of the Dbacks starters, Kelly is the most marketable. They have 7 starters and needs at Closer and power RH bat.

          Montgomery might get a bit of a return, but certainly not a Closer in return for dumping all or most of his salary. Gallen can get a QO draft pick, but Kelly can’t. That leaves Kelly as the most logical trade candidate on the staff.

          1
          Reply
        • scottaz

          9 months ago

          Upon further reflection, with Kissinger taking up one of the 40 man roster spots and only 2 more available, I think the Dbacks are going after FA Closer and RH power bat now instead of via the trade route.

          That probably moves Kirby Yates to the top of the wish list, and anyone else for a RH bat.

          Reply
        • Angels & NL West

          9 months ago

          I would love for the Dbacks to sign Kirby. Do you think they are willing to add to payroll?

          Reply
  3. terry g

    9 months ago

    Minor league trade. It’s slow right now.

    1
    Reply
    • sad tormented neglected mariners fan

      9 months ago

      This off-season has been slow for 80% of the league

      8
      Reply
      • This one belongs to the Reds

        9 months ago

        Just more indication there is a problem with the disparity in the sport. The Bally’s fiasco a big part of it.

        1
        Reply
  4. mad1

    9 months ago

    You can never enough players that hit .000

    5
    Reply
  5. Mehmehmeh

    9 months ago

    Grae was a great guy in Hou. Wish him the best with AZ.

    2
    Reply
  6. sad tormented neglected mariners fan

    9 months ago

    Blockbuster trade

    Reply
    • Oppo nacho

      9 months ago

      Movie gallery

      1
      Reply
  7. AlanZ

    9 months ago

    he made two great defensive, game saving plays in the playoffs, so he is a good glove at multiple spots

    1
    Reply
  8. ChazzyB

    9 months ago

    Great trade Houston! Welcome back home Linskey !

    Reply
  9. thebare54

    9 months ago

    Is Kessenger The former Cub Don Kessinger son or grandson?.

    3
    Reply
    • Dumpster Divin Theo

      9 months ago

      Stepbrother of Former Otis Nixon advisor Henry Kissinger

      4
      Reply
    • JoseCruz68

      9 months ago

      Yes

      4
      Reply
    • mohoney

      9 months ago

      Grandson

      4
      Reply
  10. Dumpster Divin Theo

    9 months ago

    Madras Beckert is better

    Reply
  11. This one belongs to the Reds

    9 months ago

    They sent a man to Reno, just to watch his career die.

    2
    Reply
  12. dopt

    9 months ago

    Should have received Blue Kessinger.

    Reply
  13. davengmusic

    9 months ago

    In the NFL, trading a 2nd rounder for a 5th or worse is a draft failure. Interesting how that doesn’t matter as much in baseball, trading a 2nd for a 16th.

    1
    Reply
  14. Captainmike1

    9 months ago

    Another example of why signing bonuses are BS

    Reply
  15. 28rings

    9 months ago

    Yankees fans complaining “why didn’t we get Grae Kessinger?” in 3…2…1…

    Reply
  16. TellItGoodbye

    9 months ago

    So basically any hack who’s related to a former player can get endless mlb contracts simply based on their last name. I’m changing my name to Ken Griffey, Jr., Jr.

    1
    Reply
  17. cooperhill

    9 months ago

    Old news, this was last night.

    Reply

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