The Atlanta Braves entered the 2025 season with questions surrounding their shortstop position following Dansby Swanson’s departure to the Chicago Cubs. During spring training, the competition featured Vaughn Grissom, Orlando Arcia, and Braden Shewmake. All three performed admirably:
- Vaughn Grissom: Batted .371 (13-for-35) with two doubles and six RBIs.
- Orlando Arcia: Posted a .341 average (14-for-41) with three home runs and nine RBIs.
- Braden Shewmake: Hit .323 (10-for-31) with a double, triple, and five RBIs.
Ultimately, the Braves opted for the veteran presence of Arcia as their starting shortstop, assigning Grissom and Shewmake to Triple-A Gwinnett to continue their development.
In the offseason, the Braves bolstered their lineup by acquiring versatile infielder-outfielder Josh Rojas, who signed a one-year contract. Rojas, 30, previously played two seasons with the Seattle Mariners, posting a cumulative 3.0 WAR and a batting line of .236/.308/.351. Despite modest offensive numbers, his defensive versatility adds valuable depth to the Braves’ infield options.
As spring training progresses, the Braves have demonstrated strong performances, including a recent 7-2 victory over the Miami Marlins.
The team continues to evaluate its roster, with players like Grissom and Shewmake working diligently in the minors, aiming to contribute at the major league level in the future.
