The Angels reunited with Brandon Drury on a minor league contract last week, according to the MLB.com transaction tracker. The veteran infielder has been assigned to the Arizona Complex League. He’ll presumably head to Triple-A Salt Lake after a few tune-up games in rookie ball.
Drury’s most recent MLB action came with the Halos. The Angels signed him to a two-year, $17MM free agent deal during the 2022-23 offseason. Drury had a strong first season in Orange County, hitting .262/.306/.497 with 26 homers. His numbers plummeted in year two. Drury was one of the least productive players in MLB, posting a .169/.242/.228 slash over 97 games in 2024.
The former Silver Slugger award winner was limited to minor league offers on the heels of that disappointing showing. He landed with the White Sox and raked in Spring Training. That seemingly positioned him to break camp, but Drury broke his thumb late in March. Chicago released him before re-signing him to a minor league deal in April. Drury hit .179 in 10 Triple-A games before going on the minor league injured list on May 8. The Sox released him again a week later.
Drury has not played in more than two months. That explains the Angels’ decision to send him to the complex for a few games before he reports to Salt Lake. It’s a decent landing spot. He’s not only familiar with the organization but has a solid path to playing time if he hits the ground running once he resumes facing minor league pitching.
Christian Moore went on the injured list last week. The Halos are using Luis Rengifo and 26-year-old rookie Chad Stevens between second and third base. Yoán Moncada is on a rehab assignment at the complex and figures to resume his everyday third base role once he’s healthy. Moore hit .189 in 20 games before his injury, while Rengifo has had a terrible season. The switch-hitting Rengifo had a decent June, so perhaps he’s begun to find his stride, but he’s a poor defender who is batting .226/.268/.307 over 307 plate appearances on the year.
At this point what’s the worse that can happen. He hits under the Mendoza line.
If Aaron is the Judge, then Brandon is the Drury.
Before the end of last year, I requested the angels resign drury
@gold masters. It looked like perry fixed it this year. Somehow it was probably the worse out of the years. Literally everyone he sign played their last year in the mlb. Even drury and the waiver claims.
He’s no worse than Stevens or Kingery.
Stevens only has a few MLB innings under his belt, not exactly a fair comparison. I expected him to be sent down whenever Moncada was activated, and looking at the Angels transactions, I see that was the case.
A more interesting questions is who does Chris Taylor and Christian Moore replace when they are activated?
I am assuming Wade Jr with Newman being the back up 1st baseman. Then I’d assume Campero mostly because Taylor or Rengifo, or even Trout can play some Outfield.
At least he can take the field unlike Anthony Rendon.
@charlesm. At this point angels might as well keep rendon next year even if plays 30 games.
Assuming they don’t release Rendon in the off-season or during spring training, I’m guessing he will be gone by the end of May.
@angels. Probably but if you gotta pay him regardless and how the infield been it might since to keep him on the bench.
Rex, you often keep “clubhouse guys” on your roster to keep the team motivated and light. Rendon is the opposite of that.
@nukeg. I dont think he a clubhouse cancer he smiles and cashes his check. He’s definitely not motivated. i dont see him causing issues. My point is will we find someone better we haven’t for atleast 5 years.
Keep Rendon out of Spite and make him work for his money!
Drury had one of the most surprising four months in Reds recent history.
I wish him well and hope he finds that old magic again. Like to root for underdogs.