Can Angels' Vaughn Grissom continue to establish MLB creds?

The Atlanta Braves drafted Vaughn Grissom in the 11th round in 2019.

But they wanted Chris Sale more and, in 2023, offered Grissom to the Boston Red Sox as the centerpiece in a trade package for the left-handed pitcher.

The Red Sox gave the Orlando, Fla., native a 31-game audition in 2024, resulting in a .190 batting average. The Boston brass quickly soured on the former top prospect, stashing Grissom at Triple-A Worcester for all of 2025.

Unimpressed with his .270 batting average and 13 home runs in 96 International League games, the Red Sox jettisoned Grissom to the Los Angeles Angels last December. 

Following a nine-game stint with Triple-A Salt Lake to start 2025, Grissom batted .343 before receiving the MLB call.

The Angels appear willing to give Grissom a long-awaited chance for the 24-year-old second baseman to establish himself as a major leaguer.

Finally.

Angels' Vaughn Grissom taking advantage of opportunity

Entering Monday's game against the host Chicago White Sox, Grissom carried his hot start to the big leagues, hitting .357 with three extra-base hits and a .921 OPS during his opening 10 appearances.

"We feel like he's shown enough and was playing well down there (in the Pacific Coast League)," Angels manager Kurt Suzuki, as reported by Yahoo Sports. "He had a good spring training and we felt like he was ready to go, come help us defensively."

And offensively.

Batting third in the lineup Monday night at Rate Field and reached on an infield single in the first inning and scored the game-opening run on Jorge Solar's sacrifice fly. In the fourth inning, Grissom contributed a bases-loaded sacrifice fly, lifting the Angels to a 4-0 advantage. 

After years of trying to establish himself as a major league player, Grissom is getting that chance -- and he's delivering -- with the Angels.

Finally.