Vaughn Grissom is my top prospect in the Braves farm system, and he continues to show why with each passing day. After a stellar June and start to July in High-A Rome, he was one of three prospects promoted to AA Mississippi. And if his AA debut is a sign of things to come, Grissom doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
Last night, Vaughn Grissom went 3-for-5 in his first game with Mississippi, smacking three singles and driving in two runs.
Vaughn Grissom’s first Double-A hit!!! @GrissomVaughn pic.twitter.com/nxsCnH3DEl
— Milb Central (@milb_central) July 13, 2022
Vaughn Grissom is now 3-3 in his Mississippi debut. This one was a bases-loaded singles that drives in a pair. Kid is good.
— Eric Cole (@leprekhan) July 13, 2022
Grissom has been a stud at every level, and right now, there doesn’t appear to be any holes in his game. He plays a solid shortstop, hits for average, takes his walks, doesn’t strike out much, and his power has exploded this season.
Coming into 2021, Grissom only had 10 homers in his first 131 minor-league games. This season, he already has 11 in his first 74 contests. Double-A will be a quality test for him, but something tells me he’s not going to regress much, if at all.
Do I think we will see Grissom in Atlanta this season? Absolutely not, but I also didn’t think we would see Michael Harris II this soon either. So what do I know?
Grissom would have to tear the cover off the ball for the next couple of months to even receive consideration, but I do think it’s very possible that he’s ready at some point next season. The next big question is — where is he going to play?
Right now, Grissom is a shortstop, but that suggests he can play anywhere in the infield. However, if the Braves retain Dansby Swanson — like I expect them to — or sign another premier shortstop in free agency, their infield is set, meaning Grissom will have to find a new home in the outfield.
It’s not something the Braves have to worry about now, but the best organizations are always thinking two, three, four steps ahead. Judging by Grissom’s athleticism and arm talent, I don’t imagine he’ll have much of a problem with a transition to the outfield, but it’s worth monitoring how the Braves use him defensively moving forward. Because if Vaughn Grissom keeps hitting, they’ll need to find a spot for him in Atlanta.
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Photo: Larry Radloff/Icon Sportswire
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