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The Atlanta Braves called up infield prospect Vaughn Grissom before Wednesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
Grissom will be making his major league debut at 21 years old, the same age as rookie phenom Michael Harris II.
The future star is currently a shortstop, but is also capable of playing second and third base.
Not even the Braves know the position in which he will settle, but for now, they will assign one of the best coaches in the business to help him grow as a defensive shortstop: Ron Washington.
“In talking to people about Vaughn Grissom: He’s a hitter, not a slugger, who has grown into hitting for more power. He’s 6-3, so the Braves have always understood his future may not be at SS. But while he’s a better hitter than defender, he’ll now get to work with Ron Washington,” Justin Toscano tweeted.
In talking to people about Vaughn Grissom: He’s a hitter, not a slugger, who has grown into hitting for more power. He’s 6-3, so the Braves have always understood his future may not be at SS. But while he’s a better hitter than defender, he’ll now get to work with Ron Washington.
— Justin Toscano (@JustinCToscano) August 10, 2022
Washington Will Help Grisson Improve As A Fielder
In fact, Grissom is a terrific hitter: in 22 Double-A games, he is slashing .363/.408/.516; and has 14 home runs already between High-A and Double-A.
It’s evident he is not done growing, both physically and as a player, so he may have not peaked yet when it comes to raw power.
As he gets bigger, the chances of him being a shortstop in the future will decrease.
The Braves, however, will have Washington work with him.
Washington has a reputation as a coach wizard when it comes to fielding infield positions.
He helped a young Eric Chavez and Miguel Tejada tremendously during his time with the Oakland Athletics near the turn of the millennium, before starting a managerial career that took him to two straight World Series with the Texas Rangers in 2010 and 2011.
He returned to coaching in the mid-2010s, and has cemented his already good reputation when it comes to fielding.
Grissom may or may not be able to stay at shortstop, but he sure will have a great coach in Washington.
