Vaughn Grissom
{{Short description|American baseball player (born 2001)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Vaughn Grissom
| image = File:Vaughn Grissom.png
| image_size = 250
| caption = Grissom with the Red Sox in 2024
| team = Boston Red Sox
| number = 5
| position = Second baseman / Shortstop
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|2001|1|5}}
| birth_place = Orlando, Florida, U.S.
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
| debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = August 10
| debutyear = 2022
| debutteam = Atlanta Braves
| statleague = MLB
| statyear = 2024 season
| stat1label = Batting average
| stat1value = .255
| stat2label = Home runs
| stat2value = 5
| stat3label = Runs batted in
| stat3value = 33
| teams = * Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2022}}–{{mlby|2023}})
- Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2024}}–present)
}}
Vaughn Anthony Grissom (born January 5, 2001) is an American professional baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves. He made his MLB debut in 2022.
Amateur career
Grissom attended Paul J. Hagerty High School in Oviedo, Florida, where he and Riley Greene were teammates on the baseball team.{{cite news |last1=Torres |first1=Maria |title=Braves prospect Vaughn Grissom is climbing fast. How can he pick up even more steam? |url=https://theathletic.com/3212718/2022/03/28/braves-prospect-vaughn-grissom-is-climbing-fast-how-can-he-pick-up-even-more-steam/ |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=The Athletic |date=March 28, 2022}} As a senior in 2019, he had a .389 batting average and a 0.82 earned run average.{{Cite news|last1=Carnahan |first1=J. C.|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/os-sp-hs-all-baseball-2019-20190607-nlql5ipre5fodh2ifdsl4cxqxu-story.html|title=Seminole High's Matt Allan leads Sentinel baseball all-area teams |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=June 7, 2019}} He was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 2019 Major League Baseball draft and signed,{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Truist of Braves: Grissom did NOT want to be drafted by Mets |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/vaughn-grissom-glad-to-have-been-drafted-by-braves |access-date=August 26, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=August 25, 2022}} [https://view.mail.mlblists.com/messages/16614469930486d582fbdaf7c/raw Alternate URL]{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Shrewd moves make room for high-upside picks |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-sign-vaughn-grissom-tyler-owens |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=June 15, 2019}} forgoing his commitment to play college baseball at Florida International University.{{cite news |last1=Carnahan |first1=J. C. |title=Baseball prospects Riley Greene, Dylan Crews headline Hagerty vs. Lake Mary |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/os-sp-hs-hagerty-lake-mary-0411-story.html |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=Orlando Sentinel |date=April 10, 2019}}
Professional career
=Atlanta Braves=
Grissom made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Braves, batting .288 with three home runs and 23 RBIs over 44 games.{{Cite news|first1=Gabe|last1=Burns|work=Baseball America|date=May 3, 2021|access-date=April 18, 2022|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/vaughn-grissom-shines-at-alternate-site/|title=Vaughn Grissom Shines At Alternate Site}} He did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the season.{{Cite news|date=June 30, 2020|last1=Adler|first1=David|access-date=April 18, 2022|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=MLB.com}} He began the 2021 season with the Augusta GreenJackets of the Low-A East,{{cite news |last1=Cheney |first1=Will |title=Augusta GreenJackets announce 2021 Opening Day roster. Here's five players to watch |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/sports/minors/2021/05/04/atlanta-braves-augusta-greenjackets-2021-opening-day-roster/4925304001/ |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=Augusta Chronicle |date=May 4, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Burns |first=Gabriel |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Around the Braves' farm system: Who's trending upward |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/around-the-braves-farm-system-whos-trending-upward/GG5VH7L7SBGMFOEQEJU3GNANMA/ |access-date=April 9, 2025 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}} and was promoted to the Rome Braves of the High-A East in September.{{cite news |title=Strong Pitching Fuels Offense in 5-0 Shutout |url=https://www.milb.com/rome/news/strong-pitching-fuels-offense-in-5-0-shutout |access-date=April 18, 2022 |publisher=MILB.com |date=September 2, 2021}}{{cite news |title=Late Game Offense Nets Comeback Win for RBraves |url=https://www.milb.com/rome/news/late-game-offense-nets-comeback-win-for-rbraves |access-date=April 18, 2022 |publisher=MILB.com |date=September 3, 2021}} Over 87 games between the two teams, he slashed .319/.418/.464 with seven home runs, 43 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases.{{cite web | last=Gilberto | first=Gerard | title=Langeliers, Elder leading Braves' new wave | website=MiLB.com | date=February 9, 2025 | url=https://www.milb.com/news/shea-langeliers-bryce-elder-leading-atlanta-braves-new-wave | access-date=February 9, 2025}} Grissom returned to Rome to begin the 2022 season.{{cite news |title=2022 Rome Braves Opening Day Roster Released |url=https://www.milb.com/news/2022-rome-braves-opening-day-roster-released |access-date=April 18, 2022 |publisher=MILB.com |date=April 4, 2022}} Republished as: {{cite news |title=Rome Braves release opening day roster |url=https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/sports/rome-braves-release-opening-day-roster/article_65a353b8-b43e-11ec-a4db-b3e3437c17b8.html |access-date=April 18, 2022 |work=Rome News-Tribune |date=April 4, 2022}} In mid-July, he was promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A Southern League.{{cite news |title=Several Rome players promoted to Mississippi |url=https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/braves/several-rome-players-promoted-to-mississippi/article_d7e24ed4-0204-11ed-af64-13e9cc7b4e4d.html |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=Rome News Tribune |date=July 12, 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |title=Vaughn Grissom and Jared Shuster named Farm Bureau Player and Pitcher of the Week |url=https://www.milb.com/mississippi/news/vaughn-grissom-and-jared-shuster-named-farm-bureau-player-and-pitcher-of-the-wee |publisher=MILB.com |access-date=August 11, 2022 |date=July 18, 2022}} He recorded 91 at-bats in 22 games with Mississippi, hitting .363/.408/.516 prior to receiving a major league call-up.{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title='All my childhood dreams came true': Braves call up top prospect Vaughn Grissom |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-call-up-top-prospect-vaughn-grissom/Y56IAMFDZNDWXOVF2CWX5YZ7AA/ |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=August 10, 2022}}
On August 10, 2022, the Braves selected Grissom's contract and promoted him to the major leagues following an injury to Orlando Arcia.{{cite news |title=Atlanta Braves call up top prospect Vaughn Grissom to majors with Orlando Arcia put on IL|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34379486/atlanta-braves-call-top-prospect-vaughn-grissom-majors-orlando-arcia-put-il |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=ESPN.com |date=August 10, 2022}} He made his MLB debut that night as Atlanta's starting second baseman at Fenway Park versus the Boston Red Sox, going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run over the Green Monster off of Darwinzon Hernández and a stolen base.{{Cite news |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Atlanta Braves prospect Vaughn Grissom homers, 'seemed like a kid on the playground' in debut |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34382524/atlanta-braves-prospect-vaughn-grissom-homers-seemed-kid-playground-debut |access-date=August 12, 2022 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves' top prospect Vaughn Grissom homers, impresses in first major-league game |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-top-prospect-vaughn-grissom-homers-impresses-in-first-major-league-game/UAN26NKNK5DLLJWZNAIZFOP6BE/ |access-date=August 12, 2022 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=August 10, 2022}} At age 21 and seven months, Grissom became the youngest player in either the American League or National League history to homer and steal a base in his major league debut.{{cite news |last1=Burkhardt |first1=Molly |title=Grissom makes history with HR, steal in debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/vaughn-grissom-braves-top-prospect-called-up |access-date=August 11, 2022 |work=MLB.com |date=August 10, 2022}}
Following the departure of Dansby Swanson in free agency, Grissom entered the 2023 regular season with a opportunity to become the Braves' starting shortstop.{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braves haven't anointed Vaughn Grissom, but they believe in him |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-havent-anointed-vaughn-grissom-but-they-believe-in-him/24BM3CMJZRGYBIEUXORAYIW5IA/ |access-date=March 16, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=January 23, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Haddad |first1=C. J. |title=Childhood friends Greene, Grissom 'living out our dreams' |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/riley-greene-vaughn-grissom-bond-goes-back-to-sixth-grade |access-date=March 16, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=March 11, 2023}} Grissom battled with Arcia and Braden Shewmake for the starting shortstop job during spring training. On March 20, Grissom and Shewmake were optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers in favor of Arcia.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Pair of moves clear way for Arcia's nod at SS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braden-shewmake-vaughn-grissom-optioned-to-triple-a |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=March 20, 2023}}
=Boston Red Sox=
On December 30, 2023, the Braves traded Grissom to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Chris Sale and cash considerations.{{cite web|last=Bowman|first=Mark|title=Braves add veteran Sale in deal with Red Sox|url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/chris-sale-trade-to-braves|website=MLB.com|date=December 30, 2023|access-date=December 30, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Passan |first1=Jeff |title=Braves acquire Chris Sale, cash from Red Sox for Vaughn Grissom |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39208393/sources-red-sox-deal-chris-sale-braves-vaughn-grissom |access-date=December 31, 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=December 30, 2023}} During 2024 spring training, Grissom suffered a groin strain, delaying his availability for the start of the regular season.{{cite news |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/03/15/sports/red-sox-roster-cora/ |title=As camp days dwindle, difficult roster decisions will soon come due for Red Sox manager Alex Cora |first=Julian |last=McWilliams |website=The Boston Globe |url-access=limited |date=March 15, 2024 |accessdate=March 15, 2024}} On May 3, he was activated from the injured list and made his Red Sox debut.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-vaughn-grissom-activated-batting-seventh-in-debut/ |title=Red Sox's Vaughn Grissom: Activated, batting seventh in debut |website=CBS Sports |date=May 3, 2024 |accessdate=May 3, 2024}} On June 1, Grissom exited a game in the 2nd inning after grounding out and straining his hamstring.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Christopher |date=June 1, 2024 |title=Vaughn Grissom removed from Red Sox game Saturday |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/06/vaughn-grissom-removed-from-red-sox-game-saturday.html |access-date=June 1, 2024 |website=masslive |language=en}} In 31 total appearances for Boston, he slashed .190/.246/.219 with six RBI and two stolen bases.
Grissom was optioned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox to begin the 2025 season.{{Cite web|title=Red Sox Option Vaughn Grissom|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/03/red-sox-option-vaughn-grissom.html|access-date=March 24, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=687093|fangraphs=26031|espn=42503|br=g/grissva01|brm=grisso000vau|retro=G/Pgrisv001}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Boston Red Sox roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grissom, Vaughn}}
Category:Baseball players from Orlando, Florida
Category:African-American baseball players
Category:Major League Baseball infielders
Category:Atlanta Braves players
Category:Boston Red Sox players
Category:Augusta GreenJackets players
Category:Gulf Coast Braves players
Category:Gwinnett Stripers players
Category:Mississippi Braves players