Alex Cora still high on Vaughn Grissom despite reassignment to Worcester: ‘He did everything possible in the offseason’
Cora emphasized that Grissom had a strong offseason despite no longer even though he couldn't beat out Red Sox prospects for the second base job.
Alex Cora has some difficult decisions looming in terms of his lineup construction for the beginning of 2025, and among those tough calls, Vaughn Grissom was sent down to Triple-A Worcester before Opening Day.
Grissom was acquired by the Red Sox via the Chris Sale trade ahead of last season, with the hopes of being a big league regular and stabilizing Boston’s second base position. But a lot can change in one year, and unfortunately for Grissom, injuries derailed his chances of making second base his home for the Red Sox.
To his credit, though, Grissom put in the work necessary to rebound in 2025. The Red Sox infield depth was just too much for the 24-year-old to compete with.
“He did everything possible in the offseason. He killed it,” Alex Cora said of Grissom (via Christopher Smith). “We asked him to show up at 220 [pounds]. He showed up at 221. He turned the double play well. There’s a few things that we talk [about] that I think he can do better defensively. Just go down there and do your thing.”
In the year since Grissom signed with Boston, the team’s infield has significantly improved. Kristian Campbell has emerged as a young star quickly rising through the minor leagues. Marcelo Mayer has also been in the mix at second base, particularly as Trevor Story occupies the shortstop position, where Mayer has spent the majority of his young career. Not to mention newly acquired gold glove infielder Alex Bregman, who threw a welcomed wrench into the lineup.
With all the increased firepower, Grissom slipped through the cracks. And Cora was candid about what Grissom’s goal should be in Worcester.
“Be selfish. Do your thing. Show everybody that you can be a big leaguer,” Cora said. “And not only with us. I think in the industry. Show them that you’re still young, you’re still a good athlete and just go.”
Cora essentially implied that Grissom will probably be playing for a new team in the future, which makes sense given Boston’s short term and long term outlook at second base. Time in Worcester will allow Grissom to keep playing baseball and showcasing himself, rather than being a bench utility player on Boston’s 40-man roster.
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