In a recent interview with Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the Atlanta Braves Ron Washington had some high hopes regarding Vaughn Grissom's chances at winning the starting shortstop job for the Atlanta Braves in 2023. With Dansby Swanson's departure to Chicago via free agency, the Braves are left with a big question mark at short.
Vaughn Grissom enters the spring with his sights set on the starting shortstop job for the Atlanta Braves in 2023. Grissom has primarily played shortstop throughout his minor league career, but scouts wonder aloud if he has the goods to play short at the major league level.
Currently, the Braves have Orlando Arcia with four years of starting experience for the Brewers. He has a career rDRS of +9 at SS. If Grissom is not ready for the job out of Spring Training, he may find himself in Triple-A to keep working.
Why Orlando Arcia will be the Atlanta Braves starting SS in 2023.
Ron Washington has taken Grissom under his wing this offseason. They spent time together in New Orleans, working on Grissom's game. The Braves are hoping Grissom will be ready to play major-league shortstop by Opening Day in order to give the upside of his bat a real shot. Washington's investment of time this offseason should indicate what the Braves hope will happen with Grissom.
Washington appears to have been very impressed with Grissom's progress during the down months. Ron Spoke with MLB.com's Mark Bowman and had this to say about Vaughn, “He doesn’t have it all yet. But he has enough right now to challenge for a job. And in my opinion, he has enough to take the job and run with it.”
Grissom hit .291 over 41 games for the Braves in his rookie season. He filled in at second base while Ozzie Albies was injured. Washington continued to rave about the fact that Grissom has the mindset of a student. Last year, he would show up four hours before games to continue working on and learning how to play second base.
Do you think Grissom will be ready to take the job this spring or will he require more work in Triple-A? Let us know in the comments below!
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