Vaughn Grissom Keeps Raking

North Augusta, SC - It was a breaking ball in the dirt from Kannapolis relief pitcher Tyson Messer on August 15th. The ball bounced away from catcher Richard Garcia.

The majority of fans in the ballpark had their eyes locked on Cal Conley as he wheeled all the way around from first base and scored.

But if you run back the tape, GreenJackets infielder Vaughn Grissom probably should have earned an RBI for Conley's run.

As the ball skipped away from Garcia, and he stood up frantically wondering where it was, it was Grissom pointing the opposite direction of the ball to throw Garcia off.

“I always describe him as, ‘the guy you want on your team, but you hate to play,'" Mike Sindone, one of Grissom's travel baseball coaches said.

The main reason opposing teams don't like seeing Vaughn Grissom though? He rakes.

Since July 12th, Grissom is slashing 351/.444/.527. He's walked 18 times and has 21 strikeouts during that span. A big reason for the 20-year olds breakout season comes from his growth at the alternate site during the 2020 cancelled season.

The Florida native got the invite and learned one thing in particular when facing such advanced pitchers.

“All the pitchers have a plan for you. You have to stick to your plan. You can’t fall into those traps. Pitchers are scheming," Grissom said. "It’s all about sticking to your plan and staying inside the zone. It’s just playing baseball.”

Grissom has moved around the infield all year. While spending most of the season at second base and shortstop, Grissom has also found time at second base.

He's primarily been a shortstop, but even when he was growing up, was willing to play wherever the team needed him.

Grissom hails from Oviedo, Florida and grew up playing alongside Riley Greene, the 5th overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2019 MLB Draft. He had planned to attend Florida International and had to wait it out on Draft Day in 2019. He eventually heard his name called by the Braves in the 11th round.

"I saw a good future with the Braves. I saw a good opportunity...I just couldn’t wait to go compete. I knew know matter who I was going to face, they were going to have to face me too. I wasn’t really afraid of the jump," Grissom said.

He still goes back and hits at Hagerty High School with Greene and Baltimore Orioles utility man Ryan Mountcastle – also a Hagerty High School graduate.

The right-hander is listed as the #13 prospect in the Braves system according to MLB.com. Grissom got the chance to play in the first season of the Braves era at SRP Park.

And he's been loving it.

“Loving it. It’s a great atmosphere. I love where the field is. I love our fans. We have a good group of guys behind us. A great mesh of guys," Grissom said.