Brandon Drury, the 28-year-old third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels, is making noise on the baseball field. With a recent 2-for-2 performance, including a three-run home run and two walks, against the Oakland Athletics, fans and experts alike are questioning just how good Drury really is.
Let’s take a closer look at his career and performance to find out.
Early Career and Minor League Performance
Brandon Drury is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Angels. He signed a lucrative contract with the team in December 2022 and has already started to make headlines with his impressive performances on the field.
However, before he became a major league player, Drury had to start at the bottom and work his way up through the minor leagues. In this article, we will take a closer look at Drury’s early career and minor league performance.
Drury’s College Career
Before he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB draft, Drury played college baseball at Grants Pass High School in Oregon.
He was a standout player in high school and was named the Southern Oregon Conference Player of the Year in 2010. Drury committed to play baseball at Oregon State University but chose to sign with the Braves instead.
His Minor League Statistics
After being drafted by the Braves, Drury began his journey through the minor leagues. He spent the first three years of his professional career in the lower levels of the minor leagues, playing for teams like the Danville Braves and Rome Braves.
Drury didn’t have particularly impressive stats during this time, but he did show flashes of potential. In 2013, he was named a South Atlantic League All-Star after hitting .305 with 12 home runs and 61 RBIs for the Rome Braves.
Drury’s breakout season in the minors came in 2014 when he played for the Visalia Oaks, the Class A-Advanced affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He hit .299 with 23 home runs and 95 RBIs in 134 games, earning himself a spot on the Arizona Fall League’s All-Prospect Team.
Promotions to the Majors
Drury’s strong performance in the minors led to his call-up to the major leagues in 2015. He made his MLB debut for the Diamondbacks on September 1, 2015, and hit a double in his first at-bat.
Drury played in a total of 20 games for the Diamondbacks in 2015, hitting .214 with two home runs and eight RBIs.
Drury played part of the 2016 season with the Diamondbacks before being traded to the New York Yankees in February 2018. He spent one season with the Yankees before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2019.
Drury played for the Blue Jays for two seasons before being signed by the Angels in December 2022.
Brandon Drury has come a long way since his days playing high school baseball in Oregon. He worked his way through the minor leagues and has played for several major league teams over the years.
His strong performances in the minor leagues earned him several promotions to the majors, and he has since become a valuable player in the league. With his recent signing with the Angels, it’s clear that Drury’s career is far from over, and fans can look forward to seeing even more impressive performances from him in the future.
On-field Performance in the Majors
Brandon Drury is a seven-year veteran in the Major League Baseball (MLB) and has played for various teams such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and most recently, the Los Angeles Angels.
Throughout his career, Drury has accumulated numerous achievements, with a batting average of .241, on-base percentage (OBP) of .292, and slugging percentage (SLG) of .401.
Additionally, Drury has hit 63 home runs, 226 runs batted in (RBIs), and has 472 hits in 1952 plate appearances.
Offensive Performance
Drury’s offensive performance varies from year to year. During the 2016 season, his rookie year, Drury appeared in 134 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks, producing a batting average of .282, 53 RBIs, 16 home runs, and 31 doubles.
However, during the 2017 season, his production declined as he only played in 135 games, hitting .267 with 13 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 37 doubles. Drury’s performance continued to decline throughout the 2018 and 2019 seasons, as he struggled to consistently produce offensively.
During the 2020 season, Drury was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, where he revitalized his career. In 34 games, Drury hit .152 with four home runs and 10 RBIs, where he struggled with consistency.
However, during the 2021 season, Drury began to build momentum by hitting .267 with three home runs and 22 RBIs in 60 games for the Blue Jays, ultimately leading to his signing with the Los Angeles Angels.
Defensive Performance
Drury’s defensive performance is heavily weighted in his versatility. During his rookie season in Arizona, Drury played primarily at third base. However, in subsequent years, he has played at various positions, including second base, outfield, and first base.
Drury’s versatility has made him a valuable asset for teams, allowing managers to shuffle him around the diamond to give other players a rest.
Drury’s experience in the MLB has allowed him to gain valuable knowledge and experience, allowing him to become a well-rounded player. While his consistency on the field has varied over the years, Drury’s experience and versatility make him a valuable asset for any team looking for a player who can play various positions, be productive offensively, and provide veteran leadership to the clubhouse.
Major League Teams Played for
Brandon Drury is a professional baseball player who has played for three Major League teams in his career. He was initially drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2010, but he did not play for them.
He made his MLB debut with the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 1, 2015. He played for the Diamondbacks for two seasons before being traded to the New York Yankees in February 2018.
After playing for the Yankees for a season, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in July 2019.
Performance With Each Team
With the Diamondbacks, Drury played in 218 games and had a .268 batting average with 31 home runs and 100 RBIs. He also played multiple positions, including third base, second base, and outfield.
He was traded to the Yankees as part of a three-team trade that involved the Tampa Bay Rays.
With the Yankees, Drury struggled with injuries and inconsistency, playing in just 18 games and batting .176 with one home run and seven RBIs. He was eventually traded to the Blue Jays for outfielder Billy McKinney.
With the Blue Jays, Drury played in 167 games across two seasons and had a .219 batting average with 21 home runs and 61 RBIs. He played mostly at third base and second base.
Awards and Achievements With Each Team
Drury did not win any major awards or accolades with any of the three teams he has played for. However, he did have some notable performances. In his debut with the Diamondbacks on September 1, 2015, he went 2-for-4 with a double and a home run.
He also hit a game-tying home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 11th inning on April 2, 2017, helping the Diamondbacks win 6-5.
With the Blue Jays, Drury had a two-home run game on June 30, 2019, in a win against the Kansas City Royals. He also had a two-double game on August 11, 2020, in a win against the Miami Marlins.
Overall, Drury has had a productive career, playing multiple positions and showing versatility. His best seasons have come with the Diamondbacks, where he was able to showcase his hitting ability and provide value on defense.
With his new two-year contract with the Angels, Drury will have an opportunity to contribute to a new team and continue to grow as a player.
Current Performance With the Los Angeles Angels
In December of 2022, Brandon Drury signed a two-year, $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. This contract was a significant investment for the Angels, and they had high expectations for Drury’s performance on the team.
The Angels were hoping that Drury would bring a combination of power hitting, solid fielding, and veteran leadership to their roster. It was also hoped that Drury would provide some much-needed depth at both third base and in the outfield.
The Angels are a team that has been searching for a playoff berth for several years now, and they were hoping that Drury’s arrival would be just what they needed to reach the next level.
With a strong lineup already in place, adding Drury to the mix seemed like a smart move for a team that was hungry for success.
Review of Drury’s Current Stats and Performance
So far, Brandon Drury has been living up to expectations with the Los Angeles Angels. His current batting average is .333, and he has already hit two home runs and driven in six runs in the 2023 season.
On Thursday, April 6th, Drury went 2-for-2 with a three-run home run and two walks in an 8-7 win against Oakland.
Drury’s performance has been valuable not just at the plate but also in the field. He has demonstrated his versatility by playing at third base and in the outfield, and his defensive skills have been impressive to watch.
Drury has also been a vocal and supportive presence in the clubhouse, providing the veteran leadership that the Angels were hoping for.
Impact on the Team’s Success
It’s still early in the season, but it’s clear that Brandon Drury has already made a positive impact on the Los Angeles Angels. His performance on the field has been impressive, and his leadership skills have helped to create a positive and supportive team culture.
The Angels are currently sitting in first place in the American League West, and Drury’s contributions have undoubtedly been a part of that success.
If Drury can continue to perform at the level he has been so far, it’s likely that the Angels will be in a good position to make a run at the playoffs.
His versatility, power-hitting, and leadership will undoubtedly be valuable assets to the team as they continue their quest for success. Overall, it seems that the Angels made a smart investment in signing Brandon Drury to their roster, and both the team and the fans are excited to see what he will bring to the table in the coming years.
Can Brandon Drury Play Second Base?
Brandon Drury is starting at second base in Monday’s game against the Red Sox. Drury has primarily played third base throughout his career. However, he has also seen time at both corner outfield positions.
Drury has played second base in just 53 games over seven MLB seasons. He has a career fielding percentage of .975 at the position. Drury last played second base in a game on August 18, 2020, while with the Blue Jays.
He has made five errors at second base during his career. Drury has a reputation for being a versatile defender. He credits his ability to play multiple positions to his training in college.
It remains to be seen how Drury will perform at second base in Monday’s game.
Can Brandon Drury Play First Base?
Brandon Drury has played multiple positions in his career. These positions include first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield. This versatility could be an asset for the Los Angeles Angels.
Drury has previously played first base for other teams. He is known for his strong arm and defensive abilities. In 2019, he played 55 games at first base for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Drury’s ability to play multiple positions makes him a valuable utility player.
The Angels may need him to fill in at first base depending on their roster makeup. Drury has also been used as a pinch hitter and designated hitter. His versatility and experience could make him an important piece of the Angels’ roster.
To Recap
Overall, Brandon Drury has had a solid career so far, with some standout seasons and impressive performances. However, it’s still too early to determine just how good he can be for the Angels moving forward.
Only time will tell if he can continue to deliver consistent performances and help lead his team to success.
