Trevor Story on new Red Sox second baseman Vaughn Grissom: ‘He’s a super talented kid’
Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story held a winter camp for infielders down in Texas earlier this month. One of the players that was in attendance at “Story Camp” was newly acquired second baseman Vaughn Grissom.
Story came away from the camp very impressed with his future double-play partner.
“He’s a super talented kid,” Story said about Grissom at Red Sox Winter Weekend. “Just toolsy. He’s big. I didn’t realize he was that big. He’s got really good bat speed. He can impact the baseball. I think he hit .330 last year in Triple A and so I think he’s got the bat-to-ball skills. Just a very high ceiling for a guy like that. A really good athlete and I’m excited to put my work in in spring training and get familiar.”
Vaughn came over in a deal with the Braves on Dec. 30 for left-hander Chris Sale and $17 million dollars.
The Sox’ new infielder is known more for his bat than his glove, still has work to do in order to become a better defensive player.
Story is excited to get on the field with Vaughn down in Fort Myers and is ready to be available for whatever he needs.
“I think just the reps on the field, the time on the field together, is going to be huge,” Story said. “I think as a group we can help. The main thing is he asks a lot of questions and that’s great. That means he’s hungry. That means he knows he needs to get better and wants to get better. So we’re obviously helping him in any way we can. I’m excited he has that mindset.”
A healthy Story will give the Red Sox stability at shortstop this season. Last year, Boston saw Kiké Hernández struggle fielding the position and 10 other players were penciled in the position before Story returned from the injured list.
“It’s going to be nice,” Story said. “I think of the best (defensive) infields I’ve played on, it’s a pretty steady lineup and the camaraderie and the chemistry is there. I think that’s something that gets overlooked sometimes. ... I’ll know what he’s going to like. And those are things we’re both going to figure out in spring. So I’m excited about that.”
Grissom played just 23 games for the Braves last season, batting .280 with .313 on-base percentage, .659 OPS, three doubles, one triple, nine RBIs with 15 strikeouts in just 75 at-bats.
He spent most of his time with Triple-A Gwinnett where he slashed .330/.419/.501/.921 with eight homers, 36 doubles, four triples, 74 runs, 61 RBIs, 56 walks and 66 strikeouts in 102 games.
“In Grissom, we saw someone that we felt was a dynamic athlete who could play all over the field and offered a ton of versatility but is most likely to settle in at second base,” chief baseball officer Craig Breslow said following the trade. “Someone with a really strong right-handed bat who’s been an elite performer in the minor leagues. And someone who comes with six years of control.”
Grissom will join Enmanuel Valdez, Ceddanne Rafaela, Pablo Reyes and David Hamilton as the other members on the 40-man roster that will provide depth starting second base.
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