For a few years now, Vaughn Grissom has been searching for a chance to see consistent playing time in the Major Leagues. That’s not how long the Red Sox have been searching for a regular second baseman.
We may have found the ideal fit in this case.
After Grissom started pounding the pavement with the Braves, he ran into a minor roadblock: one of their top hitters in the farm system was not getting regular playing time because the team was overloaded with position players. Grissom was likely forced to stay at Triple-A for an excessive amount of time.
Grissom recently participated in winter ball as a left fielder and third baseman in an effort to show the Braves that he is a super-utility player.
The transaction that sent Grissom to the Red Sox in exchange for Chris Sale on December 30 put an abrupt stop to their preparations.
Craig Breslow, the chief baseball officer of the Red Sox, quickly praised Grissom, saying that he should be given every opportunity to be the team’s starting second baseman.
After Breslow’s words of confidence were reported by the media, Grissom heard it with great satisfaction.
Grissom remarked, “I didn’t really [hear], but if that was said, that’s pretty cool.”
Grissom thought the team that selected him in the 11th round of the 2019 Draft may move him as the offseason got underway. However, he didn’t really see that coming as the weeks passed and he was broadening his defensive horizons in Puerto Rico. And he most definitely didn’t anticipate being traded for Sale, a seven-time All-Star.
Grissom remarked, “I know Chris Sale accomplished a lot.” “To say that he was ‘big’ would be an understatement; he accomplished incredible things for Boston, primarily the Red Sox. And it’s incredible to be able to get in a shot like that. To be honest, I would have freaked out if you had told me as a child that I would get a chance to play for the Boston Red Sox when I was 23. It is, of course, an incredible honor.
Grissom, who celebrated his 23rd birthday this past weekend, dubbed it his “Jordan year” in honor of the illustrious former basketball player who wore the number 23.
And Grissom received the fresh start that might be just what he needs right as 2023 was drawing to a close.
“Oh yes,” Grissom responded. “I’m incredibly thrilled to have this chance. Of course, playing for a team other than the Braves would have been amazing, but it would also have been great to have ties to the team that drafted you and other things. However, it’s all part of the game, and I can’t wait to offer my best to this company.
Regarding the Red Sox’s revolving door at second base, it began in 2018 when Dustin Pedroia’s left knee became so terrible that it was practically the end of his career.
The Sox have used a variety of second basemen over the past six seasons, including Trevor Story (who is now back at short), Enmanuel Valdez, Luis UrÃas, Michael Chavis, Brock Holt, Eduardo Núñez, Ian Kinsler, Jonathan Araúz, José Peraza, Tzu-Wei Lin, Christian Arroyo, Kiké Hernández, José Iglesias, and Pablo Reyes.
Grissom has a chance to secure the position in Boston not just in 2024 but also for years to come if he can take advantage of this opportunity. It won’t be until after the ’29 season that he becomes a free agent.
The Green Monster is already adored by Grissom. On August 10, 2022, he made his Major League debut, hitting a home run that cleared the storied left-field wall at Fenway and onto the street.
“The baseball world can be a funny place to be,” Grissom remarked. “I had never seen or played in a stadium before. And it felt exactly like I was dreaming. Thus, from a second-base perspective, I can very well remember how everything appears and feels. Thus, it’s rather cool.
Grissom’s forte has always been the offensive. On the defensive, Grissom is motivated to work hard and finish the task at hand.
“I’ll just keep working,” Grissom declared. “It seems like the game’s elements are always the same. All you have to do is do what you preach and maintain your modesty. And just keep moving forward with your head down.