During dinner the night before with his dad, Craig, and some family friends, Brady Counsell managed to avoid the topic of what would happen on Thursday, March 5.
“I was going to tell him,” Brady Counsell said, “but figured it’d be a little more fun as a surprise for him when he found out.”
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Here is the surprise: Brady Counsell, a prospect in the Diamondbacks system, was going to play in the major league spring training game against the Chicago Cubs, the team for which his father happens to be the manager.
Brady, 22, was drafted last year by the Diamondbacks in the 10th round out of Kansas. He has yet to make his professional debut in an official minor league game.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Top photos from Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2026 spring training
Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno (14) bats against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas (5) runs to second base after hitting a double against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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D. Baxter the Bobcat, the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot, signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks take the field against the Colorado Rockies during the spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run over Colorado Rockies left fielder Zac Veen (13) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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The Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community traditional dancers perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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A fan and her dog cheer for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Mejia (47) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Fans watch the action on the left field lawn as the Colorado Rockies host the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) throws to the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) catches a fly ball from Colorado Rockies’ Edouard Julien (6) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Philip Abner (50) takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
Craig Counsell played 16 seasons in the majors, including six with the Diamondbacks. He was a part of the club that won the World Series in 2001.
“When I got the call that they were going to be taking me, it was super exciting to kind of be able to follow his footsteps,” Brady said, “and hopefully, eventually, be able to bring another championship to Arizona.”
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Brady said he and his father are similar players, with one notable exception.
“Both high baseball IQs,” he said. “I think I definitely have a lot more power than he did, based on what I’ve done so far. I think just playing the right way, playing hard, and using your baseball IQ to kind of make a name for yourself.”
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Brady, an infielder/outfielder who smacked 12 homers last year in college, was asked what his dad would say about that “more power” comment.
“I’m sure he’d agree with me,” he said with a smile.
Craig told reporters he wasn’t even planning to watch his son’s at-bats because it would be too nerve-wracking.
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“It gives you a little anxiety,” he said. He added: “I’ll close my eyes and watch the video later.”
Before the game, the Counsells gathered at home plate for the exchange of lineup cards, something Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he helped organize. Lovullo got to experience a similar moment a couple of springs ago with his son, Nick, who is a coach in the Cubs minor league system.
“It’s probably more emotional for the parent than it is for the son or the daughter in these situations,” Lovullo said before the game.
Lovullo added: “Craig is going to have a very proud dad moment, for sure.”
(This story will be updated. Check back soon.)
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Craig Counsell, son Brady face off in Diamondbacks-Cubs game