Since skipping triple-A to launch straight to the Majors, Vaughn Grissom has been absolutely electric for the Braves. His energy is palpable and it has reverberated throughout the clubhouse. His play on the field has been just as important for the Braves. The layman's eye probably wouldn't know the difference in performance between the rookie and a seasoned All-Star.
So what happens when that All-Star is ready to make his return to the everyday lineup? Cory McCartney joined Chris Goforth to discuss the good problem that the Braves could soon be facing.
Through 13 games, Grissom has enjoyed a dream start to his professional career and the results have exceeded even the most outlandish of expectations. Through his 46 at-bats, the 21-year-old is slashing .391/.440/.652 for an OPS of 1.092, 13 runs, three home runs, nine RBI, and an incredible 1.1 WAR.
"Maybe you don't want to have Ozzie out there on an everyday basis and maybe they share second base at the very beginning," McCartney told Chris Goforth on Sunday. "But I think you've got to keep both of those bats in the lineup."
Ozzie Albies has been a fixture for this Braves lineup since he made a dramatic leap of his own to the major league club back in 2017. The team had a very difficult time replicating the bat of the two-time Silver Slugger and adding him back to the lineup will be a no-brainer.
But then what to do with Grissom? He has been nothing short of dominant for the club since his call-up on August 10th. A midseason transition to left field is ultimately unlikely for Grissom given the fact that he has never played the position and the production of Grossman and Rosario has been more than enough for the team as of late.
"If Dansby Swanson comes back next year, maybe you look at that next year for Vaughn Grissom," McCartney said. "But it feels like right now you've just got to be creative in the way that you continue to get at-bats for these guys."
Like Snit has said for many years about the Braves' "problems" like this one, it's certainly a good one to have.