Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Defense at short remains priority
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Grissom will see action at both shortstop and second base for Triple-A Gwinnett, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Atlanta wants Grissom to keep working on his defense at shortstop but also wants Braden Shewmake to show that his improved hitting in camp wasn't a small-sample fluke, so the solution will be for both to start every day at Gwinnett but rotate where they play out in the field. Orlando Arcia's starting assignment at shortstop in the majors seems fairly tenuous, so if either prospect gets off to a hot start at Triple-A and seems ready to handle a full-time gig in the majors, a quick promotion remains very possible. Grissom did display progress with his glove in camp under the tutelage of Ron Washington and went 13-for-35 (.371) at the plate with a 2:4 BB:K, and he remains the most likely long-term solution for the club at shortstop.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Will begin season in Triple-A
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Atlanta optioned Grissom to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday,
Grissom was the presumed starter at shortstop for Atlanta to begin the 2023 campaign on the heels of his promising rookie season, but the 22-year-old will begin the season in Gwinnett after some shaky showings in the Grapefruit League, particularly on the defensive end. There's a good chance Grissom will see playing time with Atlanta before the season comes to a conclusion, but he should be dropped considerably down fantasy draft boards since there's no guarantee when he'll be playing in the majors this year. Orlando Arcia is expected to open the season as Atlanta's primary shortstop.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Still not seeing action in field
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Grissom got the start at DH on Saturday and went 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in a Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
That's now four straight days in which Grissom hasn't made an appearance at shortstop, an ominous sign for a player whose defense was seen as the biggest obstacle between him and the starting assignment Opening Day. He's done everything he needs to do at the plate this spring, however, going 10-for-31 (.323) with a 2:3 BB:K, so the only question now is whether Atlanta prefers Grissom's bat or Braden Shewmake's glove. Whichever young shortstop doesn't win the starting gig will open the season at Triple-A Gwinnett.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: May not make Opening Day roster
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Atlanta manager Brian Snitker hinted Saturday that Grissom is not a lock to make the Opening Day roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
"We're going to take one of the two (Braden Shewmake or Grissom) more than likely," Snitker said. "We'll see who we leave with in a couple of weeks." Grissom was the presumed starter coming into spring camp, and while he's hit .321 with a .738 OPS in 32 plate appearances, he's had defensive issues, and Shewmake has impressed during Grapefruit League play. There's a good chance Grissom wins the job or is called up early even if he does not, but obviously this has the potential to put a major damper on his fantasy stock heading into the 2023 campaign.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Not yet declared starter
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Grissom is not starting for Atlanta for the third straight Grapefruit League game Friday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Grissom is healthy and is expected to play Saturday, per manager Brian Snitker. It seems notable that he's started just two of the last seven games at shortstop though, while Braden Shewmake gets another start there Friday. Shewmake has been Atlanta's best defender at the position this spring and has also posted an .805 OPS, although his minor-league track record doesn't suggest he would offer much at the plate with regular playing time. Per Bowman, it will be either Grissom or Shewmake making the roster, with the other playing regularly at Triple-A Gwinnett. It's something to monitor over the final 10 days of camp.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Looking good at plate
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Grissom went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.
The 22-year-old got the start at shortstop and hit second in the order, but Atlanta has few concerns about his bat. Whether Grissom emerges as the Opening Day starter at short will depend largely on the progress he makes with his defense, but so far so good with the glove in the early part of spring training. If he proves to need more work with that part of his game, Orlando Arcia would get the nod while the younger infielder begins the season at Triple-A, but the job seems to be Grissom's to lose.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Could begin season at Triple-A
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Grissom might begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett if Atlanta decides to start Orlando Arcia at shortstop, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
In fact, Bowman predicts that Arcia will be the team's Opening Day shortstop and Grissom "possibly gains the job at some point during the year." Grissom's defense at shortstop has been questioned, although he's been working with third base coach and infield instructor Ron Washington this winter with reportedly positive results. Arcia would probably offer the more stable glove, though, and Atlanta might prefer the better defensive option at the position given the strength of the rest of their lineup. It will be one of the more interesting position battles to track during spring training.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Loses grip on everyday role
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Grissom is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game in Washington, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
For the third game in a row, the rookie finds himself on the bench against a right-handed starting pitcher, an indication that manager Brian Snitker views Grissom as a bench player. Orlando Arcia will pick up another start at the keystone at the expense of Grissom, who has slashed .163/.250/.163 with a 29.2 percent strikeout rate over his last 14 games.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Out of lineup again
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Grissom isn't starting Tuesday's game against the Nationals.
The rookie infielder will get a second consecutive day off after playing in nine straight games for Atlanta. Orlando Arcia will assume his spot at second base and bat ninth.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Resting Monday
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Grissom is out of the lineup for Monday's game in Washington, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
After Ozzie Albies (finger) moved back to the injured list Sept. 18 following a short-lived return from his broken foot, Grissom has taken back everyday duties at second base. The rookie started each of the past eight games and went 6-for-25 with three walks, but he'll be on the bench for the series opener in Washington as manager Brian Snitker gives utility man Orlando Arcia a rare look at the keystone.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Will play some outfield
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Grissom, who is not in Friday's lineup against the Phillies, will see time in the outfield corners, at second base and at designated hitter over the rest of the season, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
Ozzie Albies is making his long-awaited return Friday at second base, so Atlanta will have to get creative to find playing time for Grissom. The 21-year-old rookie with a .304/.355/.482 slash line through his first 31 MLB games has played exclusively at the keystone in the majors so far, but he has the athleticism to be able to handle left or right field, and he should start at second base on days when Atlanta gives Albies the nod at designated hitter.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Out of lineup Tuesday
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Grissom isn't starting in Tuesday's game against San Francisco.
Grissom will sit Tuesday after batting .304 over the past week. He was involved in a collision in right field with teammate Robbie Grossman on Sunday, per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. While Grissom stayed in the game, it's possible he's dealing with some lingering effects. In his place, Ehire Adrianza will get the nod at second and bat ninth in the Atlanta order.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Pops fourth homer
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Grissom went 1-for-3 with a walk and a two-run home run in Friday's 8-1 win over the Marlins.
The rookie took Sandy Alcantara deep in the fourth inning, one of five Atlanta homers on the night and Grissom's fourth in the majors. He's cooled down somewhat since a blistering start to his big-league career, but over his last 12 games, the 21-year-old is still slashing ,267/.298/.422 with two homers, one steal, five RBI and seven runs. His 14.9 percent strikeout rate during that stretch doesn't suggest the league has figured him out yet.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Swipes third bag
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Grissom went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a steal in Tuesday's loss to the Rockies.
Atlanta ran wild on Elias Diaz on Tuesday, as three different runners stole second, including Grissom in the second, good for his third on the season. Grissom proceeded to score on a Dansby Swanson double. In 19 games, Grissom is batting .338 and has scored 16 runs. The 16 runs are good for eighth in the majors since he was called up Aug. 10 and part of the reason Atlanta has maintained pace with the Mets.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Three hits in Tuesday's win
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Grissom went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI in Tuesday's 6-1 win over the Pirates.
The 21-year-old rookie continues a remarkable start to his big-league career. In 14 games since being called up from Double-A Mississippi to cover for a rash of injuries to Atlanta's middle infielders, Grissom has eight multi-hit performances, leading to an absurd .420/463/.660 slash line with three homers, two steals, 10 RBI and 14 runs -- all while hitting mainly in the bottom third of the order.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Sleeper hitters for Week 21 (Aug. 22-28)
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How do you leave Grissom out of your lineup at this point? He's been a hit machine since reaching the majors, just like he was in the minors, and the Braves' matchups aren't exactly prohibitive, beginning with a three-game series against the Pirates. If the trend continues, he'll be too rostered to qualify as a sleeper hitter next time around.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Pops homer in win
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Grissom went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings win over the Astros.
Grissom responded to just the second hitless game of his career Friday with his sixth multi-hit effort Saturday. He knocked a game-tying solo shot in the fifth inning. The 21-year-old infielder has slashed .385/.442/.667 through 43 plate appearances, adding three homers, eight RBI, 12 runs scored and two stolen bases through 11 games. Grissom will look to hold down a starting role at the keystone at least until Ozzie Albies (foot) returns, which isn't expected to be until mid-September at the earliest. If Grissom stays hot, manager Brian Snitker may have no choice but to find a spot for his bat in the lineup.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Big night in box score
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Grissom went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored and one steal in Wednesday's loss against the Mets.
The 21-year-old continued to produce with another fruitful night at the plate. He has hit safely in seven of his eight games this season, generating multi-hit efforts in five of those contests. The rookie also now has 30 stolen bases across all levels this season. Given his early success, it will be interesting to see how skipper Brian Snitker manages Grissom's playing time once Ozzie Albies (foot) returns to action.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Possible waiver wire pickups
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What an impressive first five games for the Braves' latest 21-year-old promoted directly from Double-A. Granted, most clubs wouldn't have even one of those, but it worked out so well with Michael Harris that the Braves are trying for two. And who can doubt them at this point? Grissom homered and stole a base in his debut Thursday, then homered again Saturday, then reached base four times Sunday, including twice on walks. The athleticism is apparent, but it's the contact skills that stood out most in the minors, where he struck out just 12.2 percent of the time this year. At this point, why even worry about what happens when Ozzie Albies returns? Grissom is already flashing five-category potential, so just go with it.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Possible waiver wire pickups
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Wednesday's debut may have been only one game, but it was nonetheless historic for Grissom, who became the youngest player in the modern era to homer and steal a base in his debut. He contributed a fair amount of both of those (14 and 27) in the minors, but it's his bat-to-ball skills that stood out most. In three years across four levels, he struck out at only a 13.4 percent rate, which is akin to Juan Soto. The most questionable part of Grissom's offensive game is his power, but his peak exit velocities suggest considerable upside there. He also looks like he's still growing into his 6-foot-3 frame. It never hurts to take a shot on upside, which Grissom clearly has, but note that playing time could become an issue when Ozzie Albies (fractured foot) returns in two weeks or so.
