Vaughn Grissom showing encouraging signs at the plate as 2024 season winds down
For Vaughn Grissom, the 2024 campaign has been full of frustration. Since being acquired by the Red Sox in the Chris Sale deal, the Orlando native has battled injuries and struggled at the major league level. However, with the minor league season winding down, he has been on fire at the plate and has built optimism for what the future holds.
Since the calendar flipped to September, Grissom has posted a .372 batting average in 43 at-bats. In that span, the former 11th-round pick has driven in 12 runs and hit three homers. Entering this month, Grissom had only hit three home runs all season. That has been an encouraging sign for a player who arrived in Boston with high expectations.
During his recent stretch of excellence, Grissom has shown better plate discipline. So far this month, he has only struck out seven times after striking out 22 times last month. He has also drawn 16 walks, surpassing his August total. As he has gotten on base more, Grissom has shown a glimpse of why the Red Sox targeted him in trade talks.
With the Triple-A season nearly in the books, Grissom has a .265 average in 54 games with the WooSox. While those numbers may not jump off the page, the Hagerty High School product has been tough to get out over the last few weeks. That should help Grissom when spring training comes around, and he is battling for a spot on the opening day roster in the majors.
If Grissom can build on his success, he should be a valuable player for years to come. He has shown flashes of being a difference-maker but has never played in more than 41 games in a season in the majors since making his debut with the Braves during the 2022 campaign.
Over the offseason, how the Red Sox improve the infield will be a storyline to watch. In September, Grissom has ensured he is part of the conversation with his best stretch of play since joining the organization.Â