It’s early, but the Braves look like they’ve done it again, calling up another top prospect straight from AA, who is already become a significant contributor at the major-league level. Vaughn Grissom has passed every test with flying colors, especially at the plate, where he’s been the Braves most productive player since the All-Star break.
Since the All-Star break, top in in MLB in OPS, minimum 50 PA:
Albert Pujols: 1.462
Aaron Judge: 1.257
Paul Goldschmidt: 1.213
Vaughn Grissom: 1.092
Jake Fraley: 1.089
Nolan Arenado: 1.023
Alex Bregman: 1.013
Shohei Ohtani: .991
Adley Rutschman: .979
Trayce Thompson: .977— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 23, 2022
Grissom is hitting .391 with three homers and two stolen bases through 13 games with the Braves. We all know that’s good, but how good is somewhat staggering and could play a factor in how Brian Snitker approaches his lineup come September.
Through 13 games, Vaughn Grissom has already accrued 1.1 fWAR, which puts him on a 162-game pace for 13.6 fWAR. Obviously, that’s not sustainable, but impressive when looking at Ozzie Albies WAR for the season, accruing just 1.0 fWAR in 62 games.
In just 13 games, Vaughn Grissom has been worth more fWAR (1.1) than Ozzie Albies has in 62 games so far this year (1.0).
— Matt Chrietzberg (@BravesMattC) August 23, 2022
Now, that is something the Braves can’t ignore. I’m not in favor of sitting Albies, but somebody will have to lose at-bats when he returns. And if Grissom keeps producing anywhere near this rate, it will not be him.
I’m not sure there’s ever been a team as good as the Braves that has had a young trio of players play such an integral part in the team’s success. Spencer Strider is the frontrunner for the NL Rookie of the Year award, and the only player that can catch up to him is Michael Harris, who is right on his heels. Vaughn Grissom won’t play enough games to be considered, but he’s already a top-ten candidate, and he’s only played 13 games.
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Photo: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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