Vaughn Grissom

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #12 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: The Braves liked Grissom’s bat enough to sign him for $347,500 in the 11th round in 2019 and he just had one of the better offensive seasons in Atlanta’s system, posting a 143 wRC+ between Low-A and High-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Grissom has showcased impressive contact ability since he joined pro ball, and that continued in 2021. He pairs that natural bat-to-ball ability with a solid understanding of the strike zone, and his walk-to-strikeout rate was one of the best marks in the system. While Grissom possesses solid foundational hitting skills, scouts have been wanting to see him drive the ball for more impact and home run production. He has raw power that shows up more in batting practice, and his top-end exit velocities stack up with some of the better sluggers in the system (113.2 max EV) but some evaluators believe he’ll always hit for more average than power. His slugging numbers progressed as the year went on and he has room to add weight to his frame still, but some scouts note a lack of freedom in his swing that could limit his impact. He’s stretched at shortstop due to limited range and athleticism. He has the arm strength for third and the hands to handle second.
  
  The Future: Grissom should get his first test against upper-level minor league arms in 2022 where he’ll look to hit for more impact. For now he profiles as a contact-oriented utility infielder.
  
• 
  Ranked Atlanta Braves #22 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: Grissom showed an intriguing set of tools in high school and was seen by scouts frequently as a teammate of eventual Tigers first-round pick Riley Greene. The Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the 11th round and gave him an above-slot $347,500 bonus. Grissom impressed in a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Grissom has an advanced offensive game with solid bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. He makes plenty of contact and could develop solid-average or better power as he continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame and learns to elevate the ball. Scouts noted his swing sometimes flattened out in high school and he hit the ball on the ground nearly half the time in his pro debut. Currently a shortstop, Grissom will play both third and second base in 2021 to try and develop some defensive versatility. He has solid hands and arm strength, but his range is stretched at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Braves hope Grissom turns into a contact hitter with some power who can play around the infield. He'll make his full-season debut in 2021.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #408 prospect in 2019 draft
  A physical, 6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop who plays at the same high school as top prospect Riley Greene, Grissom has a solid set of tools, though teams are mixed on how well he's able to get the most of them. Close to an average though unconventional runner now, most believe that Grissom will be below-average when he fills into a large frame, making him a better fit for third base than shortstop. He has the glovework and enough arm strength for the hot corner, but his bat needs plenty of work. Grissom's path can flatten out during his swing, and while he makes hard contact he struggled to consistently elevate the ball. Grissom's tools are intriguing, but each comes with legitimate questions. He's a Florida International commit.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 55/High
  
  Track Record: The Braves liked Grissom&#39s bat enough to sign him for $347,500 in the 11th round in 2019 and he just had one of the better offensive seasons in Atlanta&#39s system, posting a 143 wRC+ between Low-A and High-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Grissom has showcased impressive contact ability since he joined pro ball, and that continued in 2021. He pairs that natural bat-to-ball ability with a solid understanding of the strike zone, and his walk-to-strikeout rate was one of the best marks in the system. While Grissom possesses solid foundational hitting skills, scouts have been wanting to see him drive the ball for more impact and home run production. He has raw power that shows up more in batting practice, and his top-end exit velocities stack up with some of the better sluggers in the system (113.2 max EV) but some evaluators believe he&#39ll always hit for more average than power. His slugging numbers progressed as the year went on and he has room to add weight to his frame still, but some scouts note a lack of freedom in his swing that could limit his impact. He&#39s stretched at shortstop due to limited range and athleticism. He has the arm strength for third and the hands to handle second.
  
  The Future: Grissom should get his first test against upper-level minor league arms in 2022 where he&#39ll look to hit for more impact. For now he profiles as a contact-oriented utility infielder.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 45. Speed: 50. Fielding: 45. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Braves liked Grissom’s bat enough to sign him for $347,500 in the 11th round in 2019 and he just had one of the better offensive seasons in Atlanta’s system, posting a 143 wRC+ between Low-A and High-A.
  
  Scouting Report: Grissom has showcased impressive contact ability since he joined pro ball, and that continued in 2021. He pairs that natural bat-to-ball ability with a solid understanding of the strike zone, and his walk-to-strikeout rate was one of the best marks in the system. While Grissom possesses solid foundational hitting skills, scouts have been wanting to see him drive the ball for more impact and home run production. He has raw power that shows up more in batting practice, and his top-end exit velocities stack up with some of the better sluggers in the system (113.2 max EV) but some evaluators believe he’ll always hit for more average than power. His slugging numbers progressed as the year went on and he has room to add weight to his frame still, but some scouts note a lack of freedom in his swing that could limit his impact. He’s stretched at shortstop due to limited range and athleticism. He has the arm strength for third and the hands to handle second.
  
  The Future: Grissom should get his first test against upper-level minor league arms in 2022 where he’ll look to hit for more impact. For now he profiles as a contact-oriented utility infielder.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Grissom showed an intriguing set of tools in high school and was seen by scouts frequently as a teammate of eventual Tigers first-round pick Riley Greene. The Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the 11th round and gave him an above-slot $347,500 bonus. Grissom impressed in a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Grissom has an advanced offensive game with solid bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. He makes plenty of contact and could develop solid-average or better power as he continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame and learns to elevate the ball. Scouts noted his swing sometimes flattened out in high school and he hit the ball on the ground nearly half the time in his pro debut. Currently a shortstop, Grissom will play both third and second base in 2021 to try and develop some defensive versatility. He has solid hands and arm strength, but his range is stretched at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Braves hope Grissom turns into a contact hitter with some power who can play around the infield. He'll make his full-season debut in 2021.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Grissom showed an intriguing set of tools in high school and was seen by scouts frequently as a teammate of eventual Tigers first-round pick Riley Greene. The Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the 11th round and gave him an above-slot $347,500 bonus. Grissom impressed in a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Grissom has an advanced offensive game with solid bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. He makes plenty of contact and could develop solid-average or better power as he continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame and learns to elevate the ball. Scouts noted his swing sometimes flattened out in high school and he hit the ball on the ground nearly half the time in his pro debut. Currently a shortstop, Grissom will play both third and second base in 2021 to try and develop some defensive versatility. He has solid hands and arm strength, but his range is stretched at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Braves hope Grissom turns into a contact hitter with some power who can play around the infield. He'll make his full-season debut in 2021.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Grissom showed an intriguing set of tools in high school and was seen by scouts frequently as a teammate of eventual Tigers first-round pick Riley Greene. The Braves liked his upside enough to draft him in the 11th round and gave him an above-slot $347,500 bonus. Grissom impressed in a solid pro debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League, and the Braves brought him to the alternate training site in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Grissom has an advanced offensive game with solid bat-to-ball skills and a good feel for the strike zone. He makes plenty of contact and could develop solid-average or better power as he continues to add strength to his 6-foot-3 frame and learns to elevate the ball. Scouts noted his swing sometimes flattened out in high school and he hit the ball on the ground nearly half the time in his pro debut. Currently a shortstop, Grissom will play both third and second base in 2021 to try and develop some defensive versatility. He has solid hands and arm strength, but his range is stretched at shortstop.
  
  THE FUTURE: The Braves hope Grissom turns into a contact hitter with some power who can play around the infield. He'll make his full-season debut in 2021.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  A physical, 6-foot-3, 180-pound shortstop who plays at the same high school as top prospect Riley Greene, Grissom has a solid set of tools, though teams are mixed on how well he's able to get the most of them. Close to an average though unconventional runner now, most believe that Grissom will be below-average when he fills into a large frame, making him a better fit for third base than shortstop. He has the glovework and enough arm strength for the hot corner, but his bat needs plenty of work. Grissom's path can flatten out during his swing, and while he makes hard contact he struggled to consistently elevate the ball. Grissom's tools are intriguing, but each comes with legitimate questions. He's a Florida International commit.