ANAHEIM — When the Los Angeles Angels brought in Vaughn Grissom this past offseason, the front office saw a smart, high-IQ infielder who could finally bring stability to the middle of the diamond and inject some much-needed life into the bottom of the lineup. After a nagging sprained wrist sidelined him for the first few weeks of the 2026 season, Grissom is now proving exactly why he was worth the gamble.
Since his reinstatement from the 10-day Injured List on April 11, the 24-year-old has quietly emerged as one of the Angels’ most reliable offensive weapons. In Wednesday night’s solid 7-3 victory, Grissom delivered a clutch RBI single, spraying the ball to all fields with the smooth, professional approach that once made him a top prospect in the Braves system.
His hot streak actually started during a dominant rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake, where he recorded at least one hit in every single game. That rhythm has carried straight over to the majors. Grissom currently leads the team in situational hitting, especially with two outs, consistently coming through to keep rallies alive when the Angels need it most.
But it’s not just the bat that’s turning heads. Grissom’s defensive chemistry with shortstop Zach Neto has been nothing short of electric. The pair has turned multiple highlight-reel double plays in recent days, giving the Angels a level of middle-infield stability they haven’t enjoyed in years. “Vaughn just has a great feel for the game,” Neto said after the win. “He was frustrated sitting on the IL, but he used that time to study our shifts and our communication. He’s fit right in like he’s been here forever.”
Manager Kurt Suzuki has shown full trust in the young infielder, moving him up and down the lineup from the second spot all the way to sixth depending on the matchup. That flexibility has helped keep veterans like Adam Frazier fresh while keeping the entire order dangerous from top to bottom.
As Grissom continues to find his stroke and regain the full pop in his bat following the wrist injury, he is rapidly cementing himself as a foundational piece for this young Angels core. In a season already marked by breakout performances from rising talent, Grissom’s return might just be the most important “acquisition” the Halos made all spring.
The Angels’ middle infield finally feels complete — and if Grissom keeps swinging the way he has over the past two weeks, Anaheim’s lineup is going to be a lot tougher to face down the stretch.