The Mets made a quiet but intriguing move this offseason by stockpiling middle infield depth - a decision that could prove savvy, especially with Francisco Lindor recovering from hamate surgery. While the hope is that Lindor is ready to go by Opening Day, the team is preparing for all scenarios, and that includes giving some lesser-known names a closer look during spring training.
One of the more curious additions to that group? Grae Kessinger.
If the name rings a bell, that’s because Kessinger comes from baseball lineage - he’s a third-generation big leaguer. Drafted in the second round by the Astros back in 2019, Kessinger entered pro ball with a solid pedigree and some early expectations. His minor league career has been a bit of a rollercoaster, never quite breaking out with a dominant season, but showing flashes of promise along the way.
2023 was arguably his most encouraging stretch, slashing .283/.397/.429 across Double-A and Triple-A. That performance earned him a call-up to Houston, where he got his first taste of the majors. In 26 games, he hit .200 with a .289 OBP and a .325 slugging percentage, adding a home run and showcasing his versatility by logging time at all four infield spots.
But 2024 was a different story. Kessinger spent most of the year back in Triple-A and had a brief stint with the Astros - 23 games, 25 plate appearances, zero hits.
After the season, Houston shipped him to Arizona in exchange for minor league pitcher Matthew Linskey. It looked like a fresh start, but things unraveled quickly.
After just 11 games with Triple-A Reno - during which Kessinger actually hit well, picking up 8 hits - he was designated for assignment and then released.
That move raised some eyebrows. It’s not every day that a 27-year-old with recent big-league experience and no obvious injury gets released after less than a dozen games.
Typically, DFA’d players are either traded or passed through waivers. A release often hints at injury or a player seeking opportunities overseas, but in Kessinger’s case, there was no such report.
In fact, there was no public explanation at all - not from the Diamondbacks, not from Kessinger.
And that’s where this story takes an unusual turn. Kessinger didn’t sign with another club for the rest of the season - not in affiliated ball, not internationally. He essentially disappeared from organized baseball for most of 2025.
Now, he’s back in the mix with the Mets, and while it might seem like a long shot, there’s a case to be made here. Kessinger still has options, he can play multiple positions, and he’s not far removed from being a productive minor league bat. The Mets don’t need him to be a star - they need reliable depth, someone who can hold the line if called upon.
If whatever led to his abrupt exit last season is behind him, Kessinger could quietly become a useful piece in the Mets’ infield puzzle. Expect him to get regular reps in Syracuse, with the potential to earn a call-up if injuries or roster needs open the door. It’s not the most conventional path back to the majors, but baseball is full of second chances - and Kessinger’s may just be getting started.