Brady Counsell, a 22-year-old budding talent for the Arizona Diamondbacks, commenced his professional career on Thursday — with his father in the rival dugout.
Chosen in the tenth round of the 2025 MLB draft, Counsell was afforded the opportunity to gain his initial experience as a Diamondback earlier this week when he was included on the squad for a pre-season encounter against the Chicago Cubs, a team helmed by his own father, Craig Counsell.
Interestingly, his father, Craig, was not the initial family member informed about the upcoming contest once Brady received the news.
Before the game, Craig Counsell remarked, “He knew last night, but he didn’t inform me last night. He told his mother.” He added, “When I messaged her an image of the lineup, she simply replied, ‘I know.’”
And when inquired about witnessing his son’s initial professional plate appearance from the dugout, Counsell replied with the sentiment of a nervous parent:
“I’ll shut my eyes and view the recording subsequently,” he stated.
Diamondbacks 10th round pick Brady Counsell is on today’s game roster against the Cubs with his dad in the opposing dugout. Brady even told his mom before dad. (Craig got scooped!) Nervous dad Craig about his son’s first pro AB:
“I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later.”— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN)March 5, 2026
Craig’s apprehension proved largely unnecessary as his son stepped up to the plate for the first time. Brady earned a base on balls after five pitches in his sole plate appearance during the eighth inning.
Brady maintained a jovial tone when drawing a pre-match parallel between his playing style and his father’s.
“I believe I unquestionably possess significantly more power than he did,” Brady stated. He added, “My usual batting posture,” though he admitted he “experimented with” his father’s unique hitting posture.
Brady stood in for the Diamondbacks during the exchange of lineup cards prior to the contest, where both parent and offspring converged at home plate.
Following the event, Craig contemplated the memorable match, expressing regret that his recently deceased father could not have been present to witness it.
“I truly wish my father could have been present to observe this, without a doubt,” he remarked. “Honestly, that was likely my initial thought. Nevertheless, I am delighted for him, filled with pride for him, and grateful for the opportunity to behold it myself.”
Jesse Rogers of ESPN aided in the compilation of this article.