The Washington Nationals have an abundance of young talent in the club’s system.
You always hear about slugger James Wood (team’s top prospect) who’s been compared to New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge. 2023 No.2 overall pick Dylan Crews who helped lead the LSU Tigers to a record seventh national title last season is on the fast track to the majors as well.
Then there’s the likes of Brady House, Yohandy Morales, Cade Cavalli and MLBbro Elijah Green all who are expected to be vital pieces of the club’s rebuild.
Those six players are currently the Nationals top six prospects, and while they’re expected to make a splash when called up, there’s another prospect who’s making a name for himself.
Pitcher Marquis Grissom Jr. who was recently promoted to the Double-A Harrisburg Senators, is beginning to look like a special player in which the Nationals may look to build around.
The former 13th round pick shined with High-A Wilmington this season posting a (2-1) record in 14 appearances. The MLBbro held hitters to a .210 average at the plate with 26 strikeouts. He only issued seven walks and allowed a paltry 1.11 WHIP. Those numbers are why he received the call up.
Grissom Jr. Has Been Around The Game His Whole Life
Being the son of former MLB star Marquis Grissom Sr., who himself was a two-time All-Star, AL MVP and World Series champion, Grissom Jr. has pretty much spent his entire life around the game of baseball.
During a recent interview prior to his call up the then Wilmington Blue Rocks, told reporters this about his upbringing and how he’s paved his own path to professional baseball.
“I was in locker rooms since birth. I was always in locker rooms getting to meet some of the greats. That’s where I started falling in love with it more.”
Grissom Got Late Start Pitching
Even more impressive as it pertains to Grissom was he got a late start as a pitcher. The highly-coveted Nationals minor league reliever told the story of how he became a pitcher.
“I always was hitting, but one time my travel ball team didn’t have any pitchers, so I was like, I’m gonna try it out. I started liking it, and then just started working on everything,” he explained.
That sudden position change along with some hard work paid off as Grissom was ranked the 11th-best pitcher in high school, and fourth ranked in the state of Georgia at the end of his senior year. That led him to Georgia Tech where he’d play two seasons for the hometown Yellow Jackets before entering the 2022 MLB Draft.
Grissom Drafted On 21st Birthday, Knows Health Is Key To Success
Grissom’s 21st birthday couldn’t have been better, as the Nationals drafted him in the 13th round.
“I was blessed to be drafted on my birthday. It was cool to have that moment,” he told reporters.
As with any sport your best ability is your availability, and growing up the son of a former MLB player knows how vital good health is.
This far in his career that’s been one of Grissom’s strongest traits, he’s always ready and available. If he can continue to develop while showing that type of durability it won’t be long before he’s one of the Nationals relievers out of the bullpen.
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