The Houston Astros have announced that former Ole Miss shortstop Grae Kessinger has been recalled to the team’s active roster from Triple-A Sugar Land. Kessinger could provide infield depth if Jose Altuve, who exited Wednesday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics, is unable to play.
Kessinger was first called up to the majors on June 5, 2023, making his MLB debut two days later. He was selected by the Astros in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft after completing his junior season with Mike Bianco’s Ole Miss Rebels.
The 27-year-old infielder had been optioned to Triple-A in late July.
Ole Miss Career Bio
**2019 (Junior):**
Started all 68 games at shortstop, leading the team with a .330 batting average, totaling 89 hits, including 18 doubles and seven home runs. He had the sixth-most at-bats (270) in a single season in program history, scored 67 runs (fourth-most in program history), and drove in 50. Kessinger won the 2019 Brooks Wallace Award, recognizing the nation’s top shortstop, and earned spots on three All-American teams. He was named ABCA All-South Region, First Team All-SEC, and was a finalist for the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, awarded to Mississippi’s top college baseball player. Kessinger also had a 40-game reached-base streak, the longest for an Ole Miss player since 2011. He had numerous standout performances, including going 3-for-4 with three runs against Arkansas State (2/20), and a career-high five RBI and three doubles in a 3-for-4 game against Alabama (3/17). He continued to shine in games against top teams, hitting a game-winning home run in the SEC Tournament semifinal against Georgia (5/25) and homering twice in the Fayetteville Super Regional against Arkansas (6/8-10).
**2018 (Sophomore):**
Started 62 games at shortstop, hitting .300 with 18 doubles and eight home runs, while scoring 56 runs and driving in 37. Kessinger was named to the NCAA Oxford Regional All-Tournament Team. He began the season with an eight-game hitting streak and had multiple standout games, including a 4-for-5 performance with three runs against Memphis (2/20). He also homered in back-to-back games against Arkansas State (4/18) and Georgia (4/20). In the SEC Tournament, he hit in four of five games and helped eliminate Georgia with a home run and a double (5/24). He earned All-Tournament Team honors after homering in the NCAA Oxford Regional final (6/4).
**2017 (Freshman):**
Played in 55 games, making 53 starts at shortstop. He was named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll and led the team with eight sacrifice bunts, ranking seventh in the SEC. Kessinger hit .175 with 16 RBI, 15 runs, five doubles, and two home runs. He also helped turn 19 double plays. One of his best moments came against Texas A&M (5/13), where he delivered a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning to secure a victory. He hit his first career home run against Memphis (2/28) and had several three-hit games, including against No. 23 UNCW (2/24) and No. 6 East Carolina (2/19).
