Vaughn

Grissom

Grissom’s last hit was a 391-foot double to left that would have been a homer in 26 ballparks. In Angel Stadium, it really ought to have been caught, but Cody Bellinger just didn’t get a good jump on it. Grissom’s .249/.311/.389 line isn’t especially impressive, and his future as a long-term regular is far from secure. Still, his approach is pretty good, and at age 25, he could get a little stronger. He should be close to clinching a spot on the 2027 Angels, even if he might not deserve to be penciled into the starting lineup.

Grissom hit a two-run homer in the first inning off a wholly ineffective Gavin Williams, and then took Logan Allen deep in the fifth. The 25-year-old is just organizational depth at this stage in his career, but it’s fun to be reminded why Grissom was considered a potential star when coming up in the Atlanta organization.

Christian Moore is up to replace him, so we’ll likely see a lot of him at second and Vaughn Grissom at first. No word yet on what kind of absence we’re looking at for Schanuel, who has hit .276/.351/.385 in 446 plate appearances, but he can be dropped in shallow leagues.

Grissom delivered an RBI single in the second inning that tied the game at 2-2, then came around to score the go-ahead run on a bunt by Tyler Heineman. He then added a two-run double in the fourth that pushed their advantage to 10-2. The 25-year-old has at least held his own at the MLB level this season, slashing .249/.308/.377 with seven long balls and 50 RBI in 329 plate appearances.

Schanuel will take a seat with left-hander Noah Cameron getting the ball for the Royals in this one. Vaughn Grissom will cover first base in his absence while Oswald Peraza starts at second base and will bat seventh for the Halos.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of rest for the 25-year-old infielder. Adam Frazier will start in his place at second base and will bat ninth for the Halos against Marlins’ right-hander Ryan Gusto on Sunday afternoon in Miami.

It was a banner game for Grissom through eight, but he committed a big error at second base in the Astros’ four-run ninth and then grounded out to end the game with the tying run on base. Fortunately, it won’t be the difference in whether the Angels stay home in October or not. Grissom has looked like a legitimate solution at second base while hitting .259/.325/.411 this year. He has 77 hard-hit balls and just 39 strikeouts in 253 plate appearances.

Grissom pulled the Halos even at six runs apiece with his 381-foot (103.4-mph EV) two-run shot off of Jason Foley in the eighth inning. That would wind up being the extent of their offense in the extra-inning loss. Grissom also singled in the contest, finishing the night 2-for-5. For the season, the 25-year-old infielder is slashing a respectable .255/.319/.401 with six homers and 40 RBI in 239 plate appearances.

Grissom got the Angels going in the fourth inning with a solo home run off Twins’ starter Zebby Matthews and drove in their final run in the following frame with a sacrifice fly. He could be working his way into an everyday role again with his third straight here and sixth in the Angels’ last nine games.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine day of maintenance for the 34-year-old slugger. Nolan Schanuel will function as the team’s designated hitter in his place while Vaughn Grissom will start at first base and bat fifth for the Halos against Athletics’ right-hander Aaron Civale.