Vaughn

Grissom

The Red Sox thought Grissom could be their long-term second baseman when they acquired him from the Braves for Chris Sale prior to the 2024 campaign, but he was often hurt and hit just .190 in 31 major league games during his two-year stint with the club. He’ll get a fresh start with the Angels, who have openings at second base and third base at the moment. If he makes the team, it could be at second, with top prospect Christian Moore moving to third or heading to Triple-A. If not, he’ll likely go on waivers, since he’s out of options.

Outfield Isaiah Jackson, an eighth-round pick in the 2025 draft, is the return, according to MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo. Grissom is out of options and the Red Sox were going to need to open a couple of more 40-man roster spots, so a trade here seemed like a lock. Grissom didn’t appear in the majors last season and finished at .270/.342/.441 in 96 games for Triple-A Worcester. His contact ability still might allow him to resemble an adequate regular if he can stay healthy, but it’s been a challenge lately. He figures to battle Christian Moore and Kyren Paris for the starting job at second in Anaheim, with Moore perhaps sliding to third if both he and Grissom impress.

It might not be going far enough to classify Grissom’s time with the Red Sox as a colossal disappointment over the last two seasons. Frankly, it’s shocking he’s still with the organization at this juncture as he seemed like a virtual lock to be moved at the trade deadline. The 24-year-old has spent the entire year toiling away in Triple-A purgatory and will be shut down for the rest of the year now. The procedural move frees up a spot on Boston’s 40-man roster for pitching prospect Connelly Early.

Grissom has been on fire at the plate in Triple-A with hits in 10 of his last 12 games and home runs in each of his last three. He has an .890 OPS since the start of June and is hitting .281 on the season with 12 home runs, 46 RBI, and nine steals. He doesn’t bring the base-running ability that David Hamilton does, but Grissom might be better at everything else and deserves a shot to play for Boston if Marcelo Mayer (wrist) is out for a while. Or Boston could use him as a trade chip at the deadline.

We talk a lot about the Red Sox logjam in the outfield, but with Alex Bregman back and Marcelo Mayer shifting to second base, Boston also has a logjam in the infield. Grissom is just 24 years old and is hitting .283/.354/.446 in 82 games at Triple-A with nine home runs, 39 RBI, and eight steals. He’s played shortstop, second base, third base, and first base, and could be used as a trade chip for the Red Sox this summer if they don’t think he has a home in Boston while battling prospects like Mayer, Kristian Campbell, and Mickey Romero, among others.

It’s easy to forget that Grissom is only 24 years old. He’s now hitting .284 in 77 games at Triple-A with eight home runs, 35 RBI, 55 runs scored and an .806 OPS. Right now, the Red Sox may not even have room for Marcelo Mayer on the active roster when Alex Bregman (quad) returns, so they might need a trade to create a spot for Grissom as well.

Grissom is now hitting .274/.350/.432 on the season in Triple-A with eight home runs, eight steals, 32 RBI, and 53 runs scored in 76 games. He hit .279 in June and has now started July by going 7-for-18 with one home run, three RBI, and a 4/2 K/BB ratio. He can play second base and first base, and may be a better use of an infield spot for the Red Sox right now than David Hamilton.

With Triston Casas out for the season following a ruptured patellar tendon, the Red Sox are searching for answers at first base. With Rafael Devers seemingly unwilling to move to the position as of now, Grissom could be another option. He has played only five games at first base this year, so it may take time before the Red Sox feel confident that he can play there at the MLB level, but he’s slashing .276/.354/.422 with three home runs in 30 games at Triple-A this season.

Grissom has been tremendous this season, slashing .342/.400/.575 with three home runs and 10 RBI in 18 games at Triple-A. He has traded some contact for power and is striking out more than he has before in his minor league career, but the numbers have been great, and the added muscle he put on this off-season means that the power gains could be real. At just 24 years old, perhaps we wrote the obituary on Grissom’s MLB career far too soon after an injury-plagued 2024 season.

Grissom has been on fire at the plate for Worcester of late and is now hitting .340/.400/.520 in 13 games with two home runs, nine RBI, 13 runs scored, and one steal. He’s just 24 years old and was a highly-regarded prospect in the Braves’ system before getting hurt last year, so it’s not out of the question that Grissom could still be an above-average MLB regular. There’s just no clear place for him in Boston right now.