Grae Kessinger Named to ABCA All-South Region First Team

Grae Kessinger, Photo by Steven Gagliano

The accolades continue rolling in for Ole Miss shortstop Grae Kessinger. He was dubbed to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-South Region First Team one day after winning the 2019 Brooks Wallace Award.

Kessinger was selected in the second round of the 2019 MLB Draft as the 68th overall pick by the Houston Astros. He was named First Team All-SEC, as well as a Third Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. He was also a finalist for the C Spire Ferriss Trophy, given to the state of Mississippi’s best college baseball player.

The Oxford native was named the Rebels’ team MVP, led Ole Miss to a No. 12 national seed in the NCAA Tournament and a runner-up finish in the SEC Tournament.

Kessinger finished his junior season with a team-high .330 batting average. He scored 67 runs and drove in 50 while tallying 18 doubles and seven home runs. He was efficient at the plate as well, drawing 41 walks while striking out just 35 times in 270 at-bats. His .430 on-base percentage was second on the team. Additionally, Kessinger was 16-for-19 in stolen bases.

The Rebel shortstop was particularly proficient in SEC play, leading the conference with 51 hits against league competition. His .405 batting average and .472 on-base percentage were good for second during the conference season. He was also among the top 10 in the league in doubles, total bases, slugging percentage, RBIs and stolen bases.

In addition to numerous defensive plays that have earned him spots on the SportsCenter Top 10 and the NCAA’s Plays of the Week, Kessinger made just nine errors with 97 putouts and 156 assists.

HottyToddy.com Staff Report