Anaheim, CA. – Vaughn Grissom is back. And as of late, he has reminded us what we’ve been missing.
For sure, Grissom started his Major League career with a bang – hitting a home run and getting a stolen base in his debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2022. It wasn’t just an impressive start to a career. It was historic, too.
Grissom, at 21 years and seven months old, became the youngest player to ever put that combo together in a debut. That’s pretty amazing for a league that has been around since 1903.
But that seems like a million years ago because the last few years saw Grissom, 25, injured a number of times and traded twice, too.
Enter the Los Angeles Angels. It’s a fresh start. Best of all, Grissom is finally healthy and able to just focus on playing baseball at a high level again.
“It always feels good when you know the people (here) want you, believe in you,” said Grissom before the Mets-Angels game on Sunday. “That’s something I missed for a couple of years.
“It feels good to be out there, go out there and have the opportunity to play at the big league level.”
In 16 games this season, Grissom is batting .298 with a HR and seven RBI. On Saturday, he helped the Angels with a hit and two RBI. “I’m feeling great,” Grissom said. “It’s been a nice little road, a couple of bumps but glad to be where I am today.”
Grissom, a natural shortstop, has been getting starts at second base this time around. He can play both positions. “I just look to go out there, play the game as hard as I can,” Grissom said. “Every time I get an opportunity, I want to do something to help this team win.”
After the departure of Braves’ starting shortstop Dansby Swanson via free agency, it appeared as if Grissom would be able to claim the starting shortstop gig to start the 2023 season in the ATL.
Grissom battled with Orlando Arcia and Braden Shewmake for the starting shortstop job in spring training.
But he was sent down to Triple-A and Arcia was awarded the job. After that, Grissom made just 23 appearances for Atlanta during the regular season, batting .280 with nine RBI.
In Dec. 2023, Grissom was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for pitcher Chris Sale and cash considerations. But during spring training in 2024, Grissom suffered a groin strain. In June, he strained his hamstring. His season was ruined and he batted just .190 with six RBI and two stolen bases.
In 2025, Grissom was optioned to the minors again. He played well for the Triple-A
Worcester Red Sox, but by August was placed on the injured list due to right foot inflammation. By September, his season was over when he was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis.
“It was tough there,” Grissom said about his time in the Red Sox’s organization. “The first time I got off my rehab assignment with my hamstring, I had the flu. That set me back. It was tough to come back from. Then I wound up running into another hamstring. I was like frail out there.”
As depressing as it was, Grissom never gave up. “I tried not to get too down,” he said. “I knew I belonged in the Big Leagues. But I had to deal with what I had to deal with.”
In December 2025, the Red Sox traded him to the Angels in exchange for Isaiah Jackson.
Vaughn Grissom Gets Fresh Start As Utility Weapon For LA Angels
Although there have been bumps along the way in his career this far, it’s still hard for Grissom not to think about how it all started. “It’s special,” he said. “selfishly, sometimes, I’ll see a guy hit a home run in their debut and I say to myself they better not steal a base.
“No. (I’m kidding). It’s a cool thing to be a part of. I’m blessed that I was able to have an opportunity.”
Grissom now has another one here with the Angels. And so far, Grissom looks a lot like the player that burst onto the scene four years ago in Atlanta.
And if he’s able to fully recapture that magic, it will be must-see baseball all over again.
