Braves option Vaughn Grissom and Braden Shewmake to Gwinnett

This is a shocking development. Coming into Spring Training, it looked as if Vaughn Grissom was the favorite to land the role as the starting shortstop, and he’s done nothing to lose the job. If anything, he’s proven he’s even more major league ready this year than he was last season. Following a 3-for-4 day at the plate on Monday, Grissom’s average this Spring sits at .371. However, that apparently isn’t enough to earn him a spot on the Opening Day roster.

As things sit right now, Orlando Arcia stands to assume the job. He’s a decent option, but saying he’s a downgrade from Dansby Swanson is an understatement. Arcia is barely better than a replacement level player. If the Braves thought this was a possibility earlier in the offseason, they should have covered their bases by bringing in a stopgap option until Grissom was ready.

Behind Arcia will be Ehire Adrianza, who had a nice Spring and offers positional versatility. He’s a decent option to have off the bench, but this entire situation now looks very bad on Alex Anthopoulos. Perhaps there is another move in the works, but it’s very difficult to get significant things done this close to the start of the season. Hopefully, the organization sees whatever they need to from Grissom on the farm and bring him back up sooner rather than later.