The Braves announces a surprising decision earlier this week when they optioned BOTH Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Triple A Gwinnett and decided to go with Orlando Arcia at shortstop.
There was some discussion that Grissom may have some injury concerns or that the decision was made due to roster control, but 92.9 the Game Braves Insider Grant McAuley explains the decision is being made simply on what Arcia is capable of without some of the bigger question-marks the two younger infielders would come with.
"There was not much separating the three guys competing for shortstop and they just went with experience," explains McAuley. "The two younger kids are gonna be sent back to Gwinnett, for Grissom to get defensively more reps, and for Braden Shewmake to show that he can hit consistently. Arcia has some power and the ability to do exactly what they were going to ask Vaughn Grissom to do, make the plays at shortstop, bat ninth, and just contribute what they can."
While the shortstop decision has been made, the Braves do have a few other position battles ongoing, including for the 5th starter between Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd, Left Field, and potentially DH.
To hear all of Grant McAuley's comments, press play below: