Brady Counsell, 22-year-old Arizona Diamondbacks The prospect made his professional debut Thursday — with his father in the opposing dugout.
A 10th-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Counsell got a chance to get his first reps as a Diamondback this week when he was named to the club’s roster for spring training matchups. chicago cubsWhich is managed by none other than Craig Council.
The elder Counsell also wasn’t the first member of the family to learn about the matchup after Brady got the news.
“He knew last night, but he didn’t tell me last night. He told his mom,” Craig Counsell said before the game. “When I sent him a picture of the lineup, he said ‘I know.'”
And when asked about being able to watch his son’s first professional at-bat from the dugout, Counsell responded like any concerned father would:
“I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later,” he said.
Brady Counsell, the Diamondbacks’ 10th-round pick, is on the roster for today’s game against the Cubs, joining his father in the opposing dugout. Brady even told his mom before his dad. (Craig was nervous!) Nervous dad Craig on his son’s first Pro AB:
“I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later.”– Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) 5 March 2026
Craig didn’t need to worry too much 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 young Counsell kept things light-hearted when making a pregame comparison between his game and his father’s game.
“I think I definitely have more power than him,” Brady said. Said. “Normal stance for me,” although he admitted that he “messed with” his father’s specific batting stance.
Brady represented the Diamondbacks Lineup Card Exchange Before the game, father and son met at home plate.
Afterwards, Craig reflected on the special game and said that he wished his father – who recently died – had been able to see it.
“I really wish my dad was here to see it for sure,” he said. “Probably the first one to think about that thing, honestly. But I’m happy for her and proud of her and grateful that I got a chance to witness it.”
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers contributed to this report.
