The Braves announced Wednesday that they’ve selected the contract of top infield prospect Vaughn Grissom from Double-A Mississippi and activated right-hander Kirby Yates from the 60-day injured list.
To open space on the 40-man roster, Atlanta activated first baseman Mike Ford from the 10-day IL and designated him for assignment and also transferred outfielder Adam Duvall from the 10-day IL to the 60-day IL. Atlanta also announced that infielder Orlando Arcia is headed to the 10-day IL with a hamstring strain and that righty Huascar Ynoa has been optioned to Triple-A. That frees up a pair of spots on the 26-man roster for Grissom and Yates.
Still just 21 years old, Grissom was an 11th-round pick in 2019 who has skyrocketed through the minors, culminating in a .363/.408/.516 slash through his first 98 plate appearances in Double-A. That’s his only experience above A-ball, though this year’s .312/.404/.487 output in 344 plate appearances at High-A bear mention as well. It’s the second time this season that the Braves have aggressively promoted a top prospect directly from the Double-A ranks, and it’s easy to imagine that the major success of Michael Harris II may have emboldened the front office to go back to the well a second time.
Despite that humble draft status, Grissom has ascended to the No. 77 spot on Baseball America’s latest top-100 prospect ranking and No. 98 over at MLB.com. He’s cracked 14 home run, 20 doubles and two triples across those two minor league levels this season, all while going 27-for-32 in stolen base attempts. Grissom doesn’t walk much (8.1% on the season but just four walks in 98 Double-A plate appearances), but he’s also fanned in only 12.2% of his plate appearances this season.
Grissom has been primarily a shortstop this season and throughout his minor league career, but the Braves have given him seven starts at second base and six at third base so far in the minors this year. Scouting reports at BA. MLB.com and FanGraphs question his ability to remain at shortstop in the long run, but his bat is thought to be solid enough to profile at second, third or even in the outfield (though he’s played infield exclusively to this point in his pro career). In the short term, with Arcia headed to the IL and Ozzie Albies still mending a broken foot, it seems likely that Grissom will be ticketed for work at second base.
Starting Grissom’s service clock now sets him up for a potential trip to free agency in the 2028-29 offseason, although plenty can change that trajectory along the way. Albies and third baseman Austin Riley are signed long-term in the infield, and it’s not yet known whether the Braves will be able to retain free-agent-to-be Dansby Swanson beyond the current season. Even if Swanson were to depart, Grissom wouldn’t be a lock to step right into the fray. He’s largely untested above Class-A, and while Harris’ success story is encouraging, it’s more common for players — even top prospects — to struggle following such aggressive promotions. Regardless, he’ll earn some big league service time this season, and his placement on the 40-man roster a year sooner than was required will accelerate his minor league option schedule.
Turning to the veteran Yates, he’ll add yet another high-profile, potentially dominant arm to an Atlanta bullpen that is hardly short on such commodities. The 35-year-old inked a two-year, $8.25MM deal this winter — a backloaded contract that pays him just $1MM in 2022 due to the fact that Yates has been shelved for the entire season to this point while rehabbing from last year’s Tommy John surgery. When healthy most recently, in 2018-19, he was an All-Star closer with the Padres, pitching to a combined 1.67 ERA with 53 saves, a huge 38.7% strikeout rate and a tiny 6.1% walk rate.
It remains to be seen whether Yates can recapture that form, but his work on a minor league rehab assignment thus far certainly creates some optimism. Across three Braves affiliates, Yates logged a combined 8 1/3 innings of one-run ball with just four hits allowed and a 10-to-2 K/BB ratio. He’ll join Kenley Jansen, Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek and Collin McHugh near the back of an outstanding bullpen.
As for the 30-year-old Ford, he’s gone hitless in eight big league plate appearances with the Braves this season and logged a combined .150/.320/.175 batting line in 50 plate appearances between Atlanta, Seattle and San Francisco. The former Yankees minor leaguer was never considered among the top prospects in the New York organization but does carry a .258/.355/.481 batting line and 61 homers through 1294 career plate appearances in Triple-A. With trades of players who’ve been on Major League rosters this season now prohibited after the Aug. 2 deadline, Ford will be placed on waivers within the next week and be made available to all 29 other clubs.
Wow!
Desperation – Braves front office is reaching for answers to being completely outclassed by the Mets !!!!!
You say that like its a bad thing or anything new. You should know – The Mets had to acquire the richest dude just to make their organization a little competent after being outclassed the last decade by the Braves and Nats. Buy your way to the ring – which btw, the Mets have not done. Celebrate a division title. Lets see how much you will care once the playoffs begin.
LOL, right.
Sure things in life: Death, Taxes, and the Mets angriest little troll Books showing up on every article about the Braves to spew his childish garbage. Looks like you’re developing quite a following w/other Mutt fans Books. You and rct troll on for those recs..
@Books- I didn’t realize having to field nine guys on the diamond was an act of “desperation”. I thought that was how the game was played? As a Mets fan, I know you know a thing or two about desperation though. Remember watching that division lead evaporate last season? So maybe I have it all wrong? I don’t know.
We got a title last year. Put that in the books.
If you get MLB.tv you’ll be able to relive the excitement of that magical 2021 once again this October. I think it might be on sale this week, too!
🙂
Love it! NYM don’t want to lose having currently the top prospect in baseball (Francisco Alvarez) by promoting him and helping in an area they’re getting some of the worst production in MLB. Mets are next to last (29 of 30) in MLB with -1.6 bWAR.
But Braves are jumping the gun like they did with Strider/Money Mike.
lmao, the Mets aren’t promoting Alvarez because he’s not ready. Doesn’t have anything to do with his status as top prospect. That’s ludicrous and sounds like a lame hater response.
Reality is his defense needs a ton of work and he struggled out of the gate hitting. Even with his recent ‘hot’ streak (hits in 12 of his last 14 games, 13 for 54 with 5 HR over that span), his overall hitting at AAA is .195/.354/.442/.795. On top of that, as bad as Mets catchera have been at hitting, their defense and game-calling has been great. Don’t mess with the pitching staff if you can help it.
Believe me, I’d love nothing more than to see Alvarez in the bigs, but he’s not ready. He’s also only 20 years old. Brett Baty, on the other hand, is ready, imo. Hitting well, fielding well, and Escobar has been pretty bad at 3B. Or bring up Vientos. Either would probably be better than Escobar.
Brett Baty may come this season but next year certainly. Vientos doesn’t field well enough for a pitching strong team.
@Books
Vaughn Grissom hitting the ball out of the ballpark in his first MLB game at Fenway Park is not “desperation”. The desperate Mets and some of their appalling classless fans who talk a lot of **** will have to hope that Cohen is going to go deep in his pockets again and buy more players. Now the Braves have Harris, Acuna, Riley, Grissom, Albies, Strider, Contreras, to mention a few, you’re going to start to get increasingly desperate. You haven’t won anything yet and you like to talk **** like the big mouth you are.
The irony though.
Never change, Fred.
Indeed, raisinsss – ironic but HILARIOUS nonetheless!
@raisinsss
There’s no “irony”, just pure facts.
That something is ironic doesn’t preclude it from being factual.
But I bet you knew that already.
That Vaughn Grissom home run looked easy for him. Plus that homer was way out. Future looks good for the Braves.
OMG
I’m still hoping the Braves sign Simmons for depth as well, particularly to replace Grissom when Albies is back.
Simmons? What an awful idea. Arcia will be back in 10 plus days. Adrianza won’t be dropped for a washed up Simmons. If you mean “sign Simmons to a minor league deal”—–meh.
Has the severity been confirmed in regards to Arcia’s injury? Bringing Simmons back might be more of a fan service (albeit I never really cared much for him because his offense was always lacking), but if Arcia is out long term, they will need to play with the depth a bit more. Adrianza hasn’t exactly been good this season either.
Arcia’s listed as being assigned to the 10 day IL “due to a hamstring strain.” Haven’t seen a grade assigned to it, but “no tear” was confirmed in the report. Possible that it could be more severe than initial reports.
Not sure they would’ve started Grissom’s clock for a 10-day absence… especially because he jumps Shewmake (who has been worse but is on the 40-man).
Shoemaker is on the injuried list himself or he may have gotten the call
Braves had just a little time to make a move. Last night just looking at the Braves system this was basically the only play. Only way to get an infield to Boston to be ready for today was in house. Shoemaker would been maybe a choice but he is hurt.
Now Atlanta can watch a couple games see how he does; while they find out more about Arcia’s injury.
There was little time to look at any free agents players, to get one in time for the game.
Missed that! Thanks
Missed that, thanks!
Simmons is terrible
Simmons not the same player he was before. Only way I would be for Simmons is on a minor league contract.
Grissom is an all-tool guy, anxious to see what he can do
Love this! No way can we sit and watch adrianza at 2b. And Can’t wait to see Yates post surgery and rehab!
AA ain’t messing around! This might be the end of internal potential reinforcements this season outside of Muller.
They selected him from AA not AAA. Second player for the Braves this year to skip AAA. Excited nonetheless
Proving AAA has been made redundant and is basically an indy league at this point.
Wouldn’t go that far
As someone who worked for an independent league team this summer and regulary watches the Pirates’ Triple-A team/other Triple-A affiliates, I can tell you right now the talent gap between an indy team and Triple-A team is wider than the Grand Canyon.
Good to see an informed take backed up w/experience. Nice.
Well ya, one is college guys who didn’t get drafted and the other is hurt big leaguers and guys who just aren’t good enough to stick in the big leagues. Super dumb comment.
Indy leagues are more than just “college guys who didn’t get drafted.” Plenty of former ML players trying to work their way back play indy league ball. One example you may have heard of is Tyler Matzek.
Both can be true at the same time. A lot of indy league teams are comprised of seniors who went undrafted and unsigned as UDFA’s. There are some former MLB players kicking around with Indy teams trying to find their way back to the majors, but there are far more guys trying to find their way into affiliated ball with zero MLB experience than guys with MLB experience trying to find their way back into affiliated ball.
A buddy of mine tried out for the St Paul Saints a few years back.
Out of the 50 guys at the tryouts there were maybe two (non pitchers) that had a chance.
It was a great experience for him.
Man, this is great news!
I’ll have “Rushing Your Top Prospect” for 100, Alex.
Isn’t that what the Phillies do?
Did you post this on Wander Franco’s post too? Julio Rodriguez? You do know 21 year olds and even teens can play in MLB, right?
Franco played in AAA, and I have been on the record for saying J-Rod waa moved too slowly last season and should have already played in AAA before 2022. Maybe Grissom works out, but we’re talking about a guy whose AA experience even is thin.
Wander Franco and Vaughn Grissom are in 2 different universes. Wander was the clear cut consensus #1 prospect with all the tools. Grissom is a guy who, albeit has good tools, isn’t even close to the potential ceiling. The same goes for Julio besides he wasn’t the clear cut #1 prospect. But hey, who’s to say.
Yes I’m sure PHI fans would prefer ATL to leave talent in minors while riding out Adrianza and Motter for a month
This guy leaves a light-hearted comment and some of you people are triggered. Don’t be like the Mets media. Although I’m glad even Keith realizes that the Phillies gifted the division in April to the Mets.
Atlanta will be in 1st place in due time. Would love to see him explain that away.
lmao, if the Phillies ‘gifted the division in April to the Mets’, what did the Braves do last weekend? Wrap it and put it under the tree?
I have the utmost respect for ATL as an organization and I trust AA’s judgement. Yeah, I wouldn’t be shocked if Grissom is better than those two, but I wouldn’t assume it and I don’t know if this is best for his long-term development. Is the clearance between Grissom and whoever else is available to otherwise fill in at 2B that massive to be worth potentially knocking his development off track?
@Darkside: There is very little middle infield talent in the upper minors for Atlanta. Brandon Shewmake could have possibly been called up BUT he himself had a season ending injury this past weekend from my understanding.
The Braves are in it to win it, and to be honest Grissom appears to be the best in house solution by far. The kid seems to have a good approach at the plate too.
All they have in AAA are 30+ y.o. career minor leaguers who are arguably no better than Adrianza. Prospect Braden Shewmake is on the concussion IL.
We have seen a lot of young players come up across the league over the years and make it. Rafael Furcal made the big jump from AA to majors also and had a fine career.
Between the rejects that are left this late in season to take the place or Grissom with unknown skill set for majors I will take the lottery ticket. Grissom is either going find success or figure out what he needs to succeed. Grissom is in a good spot that for 10-14 days he could go hitless and still stay with the team.
Read a very good comment from John Smoltz he doesn’t think he would been the same pitcher had Atlanta not let him go 2-12 and stay in rotation when he was young as he learned so much.
*see Michael Harris
And Harris has done a great job. That doesn’t mean every time you promote a guy from AA it works.
Think Atlanta will tell Grissom just catch the ball don’t worry about hitting. He can’t hit any worse than the others Atlanta could use.
Sometimes rookies come up and destroy the baseball for 3-4 weeks. A perfect example was Shane Spencer years ago for the Yankees destroyed the baseball ell a good scouting report was developed for him.
Rushing? He’s consistently handled pitching at every level he’s been at – and like Harris this year – accumulated one of the year’s longest OB streaks in MiLB, fwiw. If he’s at least decent with the glove, he’d be an upgrade offensively over what we have (Adrianza, Shewmake at AAA). Can’t fault a GM for doing everything in his power to defend a WS title.
Shewmake’s out for the season w/a concussion and knee injury. He wasn’t an option.
Guess he will be the next Scott Kingery, Maikel Franco, Nick Williams, or Bryson Stott.
Might be a little soon to lump Stott in the same class as those other 3 Sid.
Nah, seems right on time to me. He hasn’t done anything, and hasn’t even been able to pull time away from inferior players like Segura and Bohm.
The Phillies stink at developing players. Atlanta does better. That doesn’t mean promoting a guy from AA is the right move.
Add Adam Hasley and Mickey Moniak to that list.
You have to figure that Grissom will be the number one option at 2nd base at least until Ozzie comes back from injury. I can’t imagine they brought the kid up to sit on the bench and watch while Adrianza got in games.
AA is more important than AAA now lol awesome thanks Braves
Yates is making some good money on the IL the past few years. $5M with the Jays and $1M with the Braves this year and $6M next year. That’s some good change for doing nothing.
Rehabbing is hardly nothing, and can in fact be hard.
Kirby, Kenley then Raisel is almost a better backend set-up than my ex… nice work ATL.
wherearse the Pads backend set-up…..
What? You leave us hanging without posting a pic of your ex’s back end!
The beginning of the end for the Braves. This is their jump the shark moment. About to go on 10 game losing streak.
#98 on MLB.com prospect list. Seems barely worth mentioning.
For one reason or another, not every successful major league player was a top 100 prospect. It is not a prerequisite for becoming a solid player.
He’s been great in AA and is now getting thrown into the fire of a pennant race. How is that not worth mentioning?
At his highest point, Jacob deGrom was the Mets #10 prospect. He was probably outside of the top 300 in MLB at the time.
#98 son MLB.com prospect list. Seems barely worth mentioning.
Worth mentioning twice, actually
Yeah. The app said there was a server error. I guess it resolved itself.
You give too much credit to those silly clickbait lists. Strider wasn’t in the top-100 and Harris was at the backend, yet they are arguably 1-2 in the NL RoY race. Grissom will most likely be starting 2B for the defending champs in what will be a tight race with the Mets.
7.5 games back now?
I’d be more worried about the Phillies, TBH.
Good luck!
If they brought this kid up it’s to play. Throw him right in the fire hit him 9th and wait till Ozzie is back.
I agree let him learn on the job; much like the Braves said to other players just catch the ball any hitting is extra
Think there rushing this guy a bit looks like a good prospect but he’s spent most of the year at A ball only 20 games in AA and calling him up?
Harris didn’t have much experience in the upper minors, nor did Spencer Strider.
Would you have rather have them sign Simmons or bring back Cano? Not a lot of options at this point. Shoemaker is on the injured list.
D) none of the above. Promote the club’s top prospect that has no less than a .400 OBP at every stop including one the year’s longest on-base streaks, with power, and stick him in a supportive environment managed by a former minor-league manager (Snitker) that can mature him while providing invaluable experience during a tight pennant race. Situations like this benefit a manager that has decades experience managing the MiLB affiliates and be able to bridge the gap. The rewards of the promotion far outweigh the risks.
Is this Marquis kid?
@expos: according to Wikipedia, Marquis Grissom has several children, but Vaughn is NOT one of those listed.
No relation.
Marquis Jr. does pitch for Georgia Tech though (last I saw)
He actually just got drafted by the Nats
Interesting that he signed…. Has great raw stuff but is a substantial project for wherever he ends up. Would have thought he would have bet on himself for next year.
Chandler Simpson is a speedy ss lead off type (vandy transfer) picked up by TB who is someone keep an eye on. Zach Maxwell was the jackets best pitcher in 2022 and should move quickly through the cin farm system.
Maybe the Yankees will call up Anthony Volpe and Oswald Peraza in ten years or so.
@pinstripes17; I hear ya. The Orioles, too, have a hand full of position player farm hands that look ready enough for a call up including a prospect at AA, outfielder Colton Cowser.
When Ozzie comes back, they can send him down again. All this does is put him on the 40-man a year early.
When Ozzie comes back will be September and roosters will be expanded by a few players so there is a chance he could stay rest of season with Atlanta. Not a lot of quality people in the system to call up at the roster expansion.
We clearly need him, but I’m gonna go on the edge that it’s way too early and I wish we didn’t start the clock on him
Maybe. But getting the experience of a playoff push and possibly getting on the playoff roster might be more worthwhile than anything he’d get from AAA. And if he struggles hard, just send him down.
No doubt. There could be a lot of positive here. But with so much risk also. It’s not like he has historically been unreal in the minors. He’s has some struggle, but he’s doing well this year. Hopefully the put him at 2nd and we don’t have to worry about him making really bad throws…. Cause he can’t make that SS throw look easy at all… it’s bad
A big part of this move is the managerial team and the clubhouse atmosphere. It cannot be overstated how well Snit/Wash/Weiss handle this young group, and it allows for someone who could probably stand to spend more time in the minors being called up to the major league squad. That said, this is a ballsy move and a bad stint in the majors could have a real negative impact on the kid. Feels like a good gamble, but a gamble nonetheless.
Agree w/most of what you said w/the exception of the “real negative impact on the kid” take. No way to know how failure—or success—-will affect any young player. Hopefully the Braves FO made this move not just out of a lack of better options, but because they believe Grissom can handle the move.
AA doesn’t seem to care about service time clocks, if you can play you play.
The braves may want to think about claiming or signing Jed Lowrie in the event the Grissom trial doesn’t work. This late in the season not a lot out there.
Yeah but a guy with a .508 OPS and -1.2 bWAR? Might as well roll the dice with a depth minor leaguer than expend resources on Lowrie, unless the Braves are super desprate for infield help.
Lowrie would be just more for depth as what if Arcia is hurt worse than thought and can’t return this year. What if Albies has a set back in rehab and doesn’t come back till October. The Braves have no depth in the system for infield should something happen. Lowrie would just insurance.
Son of Marquis Grissom
No
Absolutely isn’t. He’s been a real son of a gun when it comes to hitting and strong obp this season though……….
Nice one Jeffy
The Braves should have made a deal with the Reds to pry away Donovan Solano at the trade deadline. I love watching Solano play for the Reds but he would have immensely helped Atlanta right now and would thrive in a pennant race.
Was hoping the Braves could have gotten one of Solano or Drury at the deadline. Iffy decision by AA to stand pat and a missed opportunity imo.
Join us Friday, August 12 for the start of our 4-game set against the scuffling Atlanta Braves! All Braves fans attending the game will receive a free box of Kleenex to wipe their little tears from their cheeks as they continue to lose grip on playoff seeding!
So basically Kleenex for all in attendance? When’s the last time a Marlins fan attended a Marlins game?
Burn!
By scuffling do you mean 16 games ahead of your team? I’d be angry if I lived in Florida as well. I’m sorry.
Welcome to Atlanta .. Vaughn Grissom . The Braves had few options when Arcia was hurt .. Shewmake is out for the year and not much else in the system. Simba is available but he can’t hit anymore …They didn’t want to rush Grissom but he was probably the best option until Ozzie returns in 4-5 weeks ! All the best to Grissom … Welcome Kirby Yates. As well !
With the addition of Grissom, I think the Braves may have the most handsome team in baseball.
King Vaughn
No need to say more. That’s pure ability and talent. Out of the ballpark, what a nice swing he has.
mlb.com/video/vaughn-grissom-homers-1-on-a-fly-bal…
Play the kid every day at 2B. Braves haven’t been shy about playing youngsters. Albies and Acuna didn’t exactly have gray hair when they reached the majors. Same with Riley.
Braves should forget about catching the Mets. As long as their SP stays healthy, they can absorb a few sub par performances on offense at 3B and C.
Biggest threat to the Braves right now is the Phillies (Only 2 games back in the Loss Column) who just got Segura back and will get Harper back by month’s end.
Gonna be a doozy of a September watching the Braves, Phillies, Padres, Brewers and Cardinals fight it out for playoff spots. One of those good teams ain’t gonna get into the dance.