DaShawn Keirsey Jr.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr.
Keirsey with the St. Paul Saints in 2023
Atlanta Braves – No. 53
Outfielder
Born: (1997-05-13) May 13, 1997
San Diego, California, U.S.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
MLB debut
September 5, 2024, for the Minnesota Twins
MLB statistics
(through 2025 season)
Batting average.113
Home runs3
Runs batted in7
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams

DaShawn Robert Keirsey Jr. (born May 13, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Atlanta Braves organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins.

Amateur career

Keirsey attended Helix High School in La Mesa, California and played college baseball at the University of Utah for the Utes.[1] As a junior in 2018, he hit .386 with four home runs, 22 RBI, and 23 doubles over 50 games.[2]

Professional career

Minnesota Twins

Keirsey was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the fourth round with the 124th overall selection of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.[3] Keirsey made his professional debut with the rookie–level Elizabethton Twins. He split 2019 between Elizabethton and the Single–A Cedar Rapids Kernels, slashing .150/.266/.170 with no home runs, 14 RBI, and three stolen bases across 173 plate appearances in 43 games for the two affiliates.[4] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]

Keirsey returned to action in 2021 with Cedar Rapids and the rookie–level Florida Complex League Twins. In 177 plate appearances over 48 games, he batted .211/.305/.428 with seven home runs, 24 RBI, and 11 stolen bases.[6] Keirsey spent the 2022 campaign with the Double–A Wichita Wind Surge, hitting .271/.329/.395 with seven home runs, 48 RBI, and 42 stolen bases across 121 games.[7] In 2023, Keirsey split the year between Wichita and the Triple–A St. Paul Saints. In 130 total games, he slashed .294/.366/.455 with career–highs in home runs (15) and RBI (61), as well as 39 stolen bases.[8]

Keirsey began the 2024 season with St. Paul, batting .292/.363/.477 with 14 home runs, 75 RBI, and 36 stolen bases over 103 games.[9] On September 5, 2024, Keirsey was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time, where he batted 2-for-14 (.154).[10] He became the 21st Ute to debut in the majors.[11]

Keirsey delivered a walk-off single against the San Francisco Giants on May 11, 2025.[12] In 74 appearances for Minnesota, he batted .107/.138/.179 with two home runs, six RBI, and 10 stolen bases. Keirsey was designated for assignment by the Twins following the acquisition of Alex Jackson on November 21.[13] He was non-tendered by Minnesota the same day and became a free agent.[14]

Atlanta Braves

On December 18, 2025, Keirsey signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves.[15]

References

  1. ^ Hunt, Stephen (September 28, 2025). "This former Ute still feeling 'blessed' to be playing 'little kid's game'". Deseret News. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Gurney, Brandon (June 5, 2018). "Utah baseball: DaShawn Keirsey goes in the fourth round to Minnesota Twins". Deseret News. Retrieved November 11, 2025.
  3. ^ "Minnesota Twins 2018 MLB Draft Pick Capsules". amp.foxsports.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "DaShawn Keirsey Jr. - Baseball Stats". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  5. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  6. ^ "DaShawn Keirsey Jr. - Stats - Batting". fangraphs.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  7. ^ "DaShawn Keirsey Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  8. ^ "Twins calling up DaShawn Keirsey Jr. for MLB debut as Max Kepler hits IL". si.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  9. ^ "Twins place OF Kepler on 10-day injured list, OF Buxton suffers setback on rehab assignment". kstp.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Twins Place Max Kepler On Injured List, Select DaShawn Keirsey Jr". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  11. ^ Hunt, Stephen. "This former Ute still feeling 'blessed' to be playing a 'little kid's game'". DeseretNews. Retrieved November 16, 2025.
  12. ^ Leach, Matthew (May 11, 2025). "DaShawn Keirsey Jr. hits walk-off single in Twins' win". MLB.com. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
  13. ^ "Twins Acquire Alex Jackson, Avoid Arbitration With Justin Topa". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 21, 2025.
  14. ^ Franco, Anthony (November 21, 2025). "American League Non-Tenders: 11/21/25". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved December 31, 2025.
  15. ^ "Braves Sign DaShawn Keirsey Jr. To Minors Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 4, 2026.
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