Atlanta optioned Grissom to Triple-A Gwinnett following Saturday's 5-4 loss to Baltimore.
Grissom's run as Atlanta's everyday shortstop -- and his time on the 26-man active roster -- will come to an end after the big club reinstated Orlando Arcia (wrist) from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Despite having not played in a game since April 12, Arcia was activated without requiring a minor-league assignment beforehand, which likely speaks to the team's desire to get a natural shortstop back in the mix. Grissom batted a respectable .277 following his April 14 call-up, but he walked at just a three percent rate and produced only two extra- base hits in his 70 plate appearances while also accounting for a minus-2.8 Ultimate Zone Rating over 158 innings at shortstop.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Rests for second doubleheader game
Rotowire
Grissom is out of the lineup for the second game of Monday's doubleheader with the Mets.
Grissom will get a breather after he went 1-for-4 and committed a throwing error in Atlanta's 9-8 win in the opening game of the day. Ehire Adrianza will fill in for Grissom at shortstop, ending the latter's streak of five consecutive starts.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Sits after lackluster run of starts
Rotowire
Grissom is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.
For the first time since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on April 14 in the wake of top shortstop Orlando Arcia (wrist) landing on the injured list, Grissom will get a day off. Ehire Adrianza will fill in at shortstop in place of Grissom, who slashed .273/.314/.303 with one extra-base hit (a double) and no stolen bases during his nine-game run in the starting lineup.
Grissom will start at shortstop and bat sixth in Monday's game in San Diego.
Grissom has produced hits in each of his first three starts since being called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday. While Orlando Arcia (wrist) remains on the injured list for the foreseeable future, Grissom looks like he'll be locked in as Atlanta's full-time starter at shortstop, despite the organization's concerns about his defense.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Possible waiver wire pickups
Rotowire
Before you turn to Zach Neto to meet your unexpected shortstop need, make sure Vaughn Grissom isn't rostered already. We've already seen him deliver at the major-league level, after all, batting .291 (41 for 141) with five homers, five steals and a .792 OPS down the stretch last season. True, he doesn't have eligibility at shortstop yet, but he's started the past three games there for the Braves, filling in for an injured Orlando Arcia, and should pick it up by the end of the week. The 22-year-old was considered the favorite for the starting shortstop job coming into spring training and may run with it now, giving you a dual-eligible middle infielder who'll help in batting average while making reasonable contributions in home runs and stolen bases.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Roller coaster season debut
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Grissom went 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI in Friday's win over the Royals.
The 22-year-old's season debut with Atlanta was an adventure, to say the least. Grissom ripped an RBI double down the first-base line on the first pitch he saw from Brady Singer, but he also committed a fielding error when he double-clutched on a grounder by Bobby Witt, and he almost got charged with a second error while trying to turn a double play after Charlie Morton couldn't find his relay throw from second base. Grissom then somewhat redeemed himself defensively by ranging far to his left to retire Kyle Isbel and end the third inning. The young infielder has plenty of talent and exciting fantasy potential, but Grissom will need to show more consistency with his glove if he wants to stick around when Orlando Arcia (wrist) gets healthy.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Starting at shortstop Friday
Rotowire
Grissom is starting at shortstop and batting seventh Friday at Kansas City.
Grissom was called up from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday morning and has an opportunity to take over as Atlanta's everyday shortstop with Orlando Arcia (wrist) hitting the injured list in a corresponding move. Grissom was off to a tremendous start this season in the International League, slashing .366/.458/.585 with one home run and two stolen bases through 10 games. The 22-year-old offers category-spanning fantasy upside.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
Grissom was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett by Atlanta on Friday.
The 22-year-old is set to take over as Atlanta's everyday shortstop with Orlando Arcia (wrist) landing on the injured list. Grissom has crushed it at Gwinnett this season, slashing .366/.458/.585 with one homer, two stolen bases and a 6:4 BB:K. His glove remains a work in progress, but he showed his fantasy upside last season and should be picked up in most leagues where he's still available.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: In line for MLB return
Rotowire
Grissom will likely be recalled by Atlanta before its next game against Kansas City on Friday, Jim Bowden of The Athletic reports.
With Orlando Arcia headed for the injured list after scans revealed a microfracture in his wrist Thursday, Grissom figures to be the primary option to fill in at shortstop for Atlanta. The 22-year-old infielder has been stellar at the plate with Triple-A Gwinnett, slashing .366/.458/.585 on the year, but problems with his glove kept Grissom out of the majors to start the season.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Mixed bag in Gwinnett's opener
Rotowire
Grissom went 1-for-3 with two walks, a triple, three runs scored and a stolen base in Gwinnett's Opening Day win over Jacksonville on Friday.
Getting the start at shortstop and hitting second, Grissom flashed the offensive talent that allowed him to make an impact as a rookie last year for Atlanta. However, he also committed a fielding error, and his defense is what kept him from winning the starting shortstop job in the majors to begin 2023. Braden Shewmake, who was also in the thick of the spring battle for that job, went 1-for-5 with four strikeouts and a walkoff three-run home run as Gwinnett's second baseman. If Grissom can demonstrate some consistency with his glove at Triple-A, he's still likely Atlanta's first choice for promotion should a spot open up with the big club's infield.
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Braves' Vaughn Grissom: Defense at short remains priority
Rotowire
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: Still not seeing action in field
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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: Out of lineup again
Rotowire
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: Will play some outfield
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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.
