Houston Astros Prospect Kessinger Piecing Together Better Offense Play

Baseball America released its updated top-30 prospect ranking for the Houston Astros on Thursday, and as I perused the list, I was surprised to find Grae Kessinger still ranked (18th) among the best in the system.

Kessinger is ranked 22nd by MLB Pipeline, prior to the outlet's updated ranking following the addition of 2022 draft signees. But for the 2019 second-round pick, Kessinger's development hasn't progressed as expected.

The 24-year-old is slashing .193/.316/.338 in his second full-season of professional play. His 21 percent strikeout rate is a tad lower than his 2021 clip, and as his whiffs are cut down, Kessinger is also walking at a higher rate with 49 on the year.

And in July, the righty entered Thursday with an .831 OPS — his second-highest in a professional month dating back to July 2019. Kessinger has slashed five doubles on the month as well as three home runs, matching his high from May.

Kessinger's strikeouts and walks are down compared to April, May and June, but as he finds more slug in his swing, the righty is on pace for his most extra-base hits in a month this year.

Defensively, the utility infielder took reps at first base in the Arizona Fall League but has yet to transfer that play to Double-A. Kessinger has started 59 games at shortstop while seeing sparse time at second and third base.

Without consistent progress in the last two months of the season, Kessinger's next season could be cutting close to his last. His fielding and arm tools stand out, and while his offensive ceiling is present in July, the 2019 second-round pick will need to carry his adjustments into August and September. 

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