Who is too high and too low on ESPN’s top 100 MLB rankings? (3:15)Dave Schoenfield and Jeff Passan discuss which players were placed too high or too low on the MLB top 100 rankings. (3:15)
Brady Counsell, a 22-two-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks prospect, made his professional debut Thursday — with his father in the opposing dugout.
A 10-round pick in the 2025 MLB draft, Counsell got his chance to get his first reps as a Diamondback this week when he was named to the club’s roster for a spring training matchup with the Chicago Cubs, who are managed by none other than Craig Counsell.
“He knew last night, but he didn’t tell me last night. He told his mom,” Craig Counsell said before the game. “When I texted her a picture of the lineup, she said ‘I know.'”
There wasn’t much need for nerves from Craig as his son made his debut in the box. Brady drew a five-pitch walk in his lone at-bat in the eighth inning.
The younger Counsell kept things light-hearted when making a pregame comparison between his game and his father’s.
“I think I definitely have a lot more power than he did,” Brady said. “Normal stance for me,” though he acknowledged he “messed around with” his father’s distinctive batting stance.
Afterward, Craig reflected on the special game and said he wished that his father — who died recently — could have witnessed it.
“Really wish my dad could have been here to see it for sure,” he said. “Probably thought of that first things first honestly. But I’m happy for him and proud of him and thankful that I got to witness it.”
Who is too high and too low on ESPN’s top 100 MLB rankings? (3:15)Dave Schoenfield and Jeff Passan discuss which players were placed too high or too low on the MLB top 100 rankings. (3:15)
Dave Schoenfield and Jeff Passan discuss which players were placed too high or too low on the MLB top 100 rankings. (3:15)
“I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later,” he said.