Angels Acquire Vaughn Grissom to Boost Middle Infield Depth

The Los Angeles Angels just dipped back into the bargain bin of once-hyped prospects. They’ve picked up infielder Vaughn Grissom from the Boston Red Sox for minor league outfielder Isaiah Jackson.

This move fits right in with the Angels’ offseason pattern. They keep targeting undervalued, high-upside talent and hoping to finally snap their long postseason drought.

Angels Take a Flier on Vaughn Grissom’s Upside

The Angels aren’t paying for what Vaughn Grissom’s done lately. They’re paying for what he might still become.

At 24, Grissom’s still young enough to rediscover the form that made him one of baseball’s most intriguing infield prospects. That’s not nothing, even if it’s a bit of a gamble.

From 11th-Rounder to Top 100 Prospect

Grissom’s story started quietly when the Atlanta Braves took him in the 11th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. He quickly turned that modest draft status into big-league buzz.

He climbed prospect rankings thanks to a polished approach at the plate and a versatile infield skill set. By 2022, Grissom had cracked top 100 prospect lists, riding strong minor league performances that showed off his bat-to-ball skills and some emerging gap power.

The Braves gave him a big-league look. That was a pretty quick rise for a guy drafted that late.

Early MLB Success, Followed by Growing Pains

Grissom’s first taste of the majors in Atlanta looked impressive. Over 156 plate appearances, he slashed .291/.353/.440 and looked like a long-term infield solution.

His compact swing and ability to use the whole field suggested staying power. But the league adjusted, as it always does.

After that initial burst, Grissom struggled to repeat his early offensive success. Defensive questions piled up as he bounced around the infield.

Opposing pitchers found holes in his approach, and his game plateaued at the big-league level. That’s not uncommon for young players, but it’s still a concern.

The Boston Detour: Limited Impact, Lingering Potential

Grissom’s next chapter took him to Boston. He landed there in the Chris Sale trade ahead of the 2024 season—a move that showed teams still saw real talent in him, despite the inconsistency.

Underwhelming Line with the Red Sox

With the Red Sox, Grissom never quite found his rhythm. In 114 plate appearances at the big-league level, he managed just a .190/.246/.219 line, which was a far cry from his promising Braves debut.

The swing decisions weren’t as sharp, and the contact quality dipped. Down at Triple-A, he was better, but not the same force he’d been in the minors.

His production stayed respectable, but the days of him burying minor league pitching seemed to be on pause. Then came another setback.

Grissom finished the 2025 season on the injured list with plantar fasciitis, a nagging foot issue that can sap a player’s explosiveness and mobility. On top of that, he’s now out of minor league options, so he’ll have to stick on a big-league roster or hit waivers.

Why the Angels Are Betting on Grissom

For the Angels, this move feels like a calculated risk. They’re buying low on a player who once looked like a core piece for a contender, and whose main issues have been inconsistency, not a lack of talent.

Infield Picture: Where Grissom Fits

Los Angeles already has a few key infield anchors:

That leaves openings at second base and third base, plus a need for a versatile utility guy. Grissom checks those boxes.

His defensive track record is uneven, but he can move around the infield. That gives the Angels some flexibility as they figure out their depth chart.

If his bat comes back even halfway to his early Atlanta form, the Angels get a useful everyday or semi-regular player. If not, he’s still a bench piece who can cover multiple spots and give the roster a little more length.

Isaiah Jackson: The Prospect Heading to Boston

In return, the Red Sox get Isaiah Jackson, a young outfielder who’s still more projection than production right now.

Raw Talent, Modest Numbers

Jackson’s pro résumé is still pretty light. His performance at High-A has been modest, with only flashes of the tools that first drew the Angels to him.

Boston’s betting that, with time and development, they can unlock more from his skill set. From the Angels’ point of view, Jackson was a movable piece—talented but unproven, and behind other outfield options in the system.

Swapping a prospect like that for a near-ready infielder with upside lines up with where the Angels are right now. Honestly, it’s a move that makes sense for both sides, even if it’s not the kind of trade that makes headlines.

A Familiar Angels Strategy: Buying Low on Former Top Prospects

This trade fits a pattern with the Angels front office. They keep going after former top prospects whose shine has faded a bit—guys who’ve made it to the majors, hit a rough patch, but still have that spark of real talent.

The franchise wants badly to break their playoff drought, and this approach lets them swing for upside without giving up their best assets. Grissom’s the newest case: not much risk, maybe a lot of reward, and he’s ready to help right away.

If his swing comes back and his foot holds up, the Angels might’ve snagged a crucial infield piece for next to nothing. And if it doesn’t pan out, they really only gave up a lottery-ticket outfielder.

 
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