Red Sox' Vaughn Grissom not bothered by media drama; focused on making Opening Day roster
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas gave some opinions on who should be the starting second baseman and third baseman this season. He also gave his thoughts as to whether the young prospects fighting for a roster spot should start with Boston or Worcester.
One player that is also trying to win a job with the Red Sox and potentially at second base depending on where Boston plays Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman is Vaughn Grissom.
The 24-year-old enters his second camp with the Red Sox after an underwhelming first year in Boston. Grissom is trying to win a spot on the Red Sox Opening Day roster and was asked by WEEI’s Rob Bradford if he was bothered by Casas’ comments to the media on Tuesday.
"It’s fine," said Grissom to Bradford on Tuesday. "When you know these guys, you know what they actually mean and where their hearts are coming from. It’s not like it’s anything sour or the vibe has changed. In my opinion, it’s all the same. Things get said. Some people don’t mean it. Maybe it’s their opinion or what they thought or this or that. I focus on myself and answer my questions. It’s not as chaotic as some might seem. There is no tension. I’m sure the other world, the media world, that’s different. ‘Why would you say that?’ But there are a lot of things that get said that are way worse than that. Things are fine around here.
"There’s so much time. The vibe around here is awesome. I don’t think it changes anything much. I think we all know where we stand."
Grissom’s first year with the Red Sox was filled with injuries, then he got the flu and spent time with the WooSox to close out the year. The Florida native only had 105 at-bats with Boston, where he hit .190 with a .465 OPS with six RBI and two stolen bases. Grissom has put last season in the rearview mirror, adding on 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason, and is laser-focused on winning a job in camp.
"For me, it’s just coming in here every day and working as hard as I can to make the team. Nothing really changes for me," added Grissom. "I’m just going to continue to come in here and learn from all these guys and work my ass off to break with this team.
"Finishing the year in Worcester last year, learning from those guys, and then coming in here now and being surrounded by these guys, it’s motivating to stay with these guys when spring training is over. I think we have a really good group. I think it’s going to be a really good team this year. A lot of positives."
