The Royals announced Wednesday morning that they’ve signed infielder/outfielder Brandon Drury to a minor league contract. The Wasserman client will be in big league camp with Kansas City this spring as a non-roster invitee.
Drury, 33, put on a show in spring training with the White Sox last year when he hit .410/.439/.821 with three homers and seven doubles in only 41 plate appearances. He looked to have secured a spot on Chicago’s Opening Day club but suffered a broken thumb in the final days of camp, sinking any hope of cracking the roster. The veteran utilityman struggled in the minors upon returning and was eventually cut loose by the ChiSox. He didn’t fare much better on a minor league deal with the Angels. Drury didn’t play in the majors last year and closed out the season with a disappointing .214/.338/.323 slash in 228 minor league plate appearances following that ill-timed hand injury.
Of course, Drury has plenty of track record in the big leagues. It’s been an up-and-down career for the righty-swinging slugger, but at his best he’s shown the ability to pop 25 homers in a season, albeit typically with a low on-base percentage.
Drury’s most recent big league work came in 2024, when he struggled through a career-worst year and hit just .169/.242/.228 with sub-par defense in 97 games for the Angels. In the two preceding seasons, however, he was terrific. From 2022-23, Drury slashed .262/.313/.495 with 54 home runs, 64 doubles, five triples, a 5.8% walk rate and a 24% strikeout rate in 1091 plate appearances between the Reds, Padres and Angels.
A bat-first utility player, Drury has extensive experience at all four corner positions and second base, though he hasn’t been considered a strong defender at any of those five spots. That’s not likely to change as he progresses into his mid-30s, but there’s still some value in even being a below-average option at multiple spots in the diamond if his bat can get back on track.
The Royals have Vinnie Pasquantino and Maikel Garcia entrenched at first base and third base, respectively. They added Isaac Collins in an offseason trade with the Brewers and figure to give the late-blooming switch-hitter the bulk of the playing time in left field. Former top pick and top prospect Jac Caglianone will get the first crack at right field, with free agent pickup Lane Thomas perhaps serving as a platoon partner. Jonathan India will aim for a rebound campaign at second base.
The presence of that quintet — plus catcher Salvador Perez, who figures to spend a chunk of time at DH and first base this year — makes for a crowded outlook at Drury’s positions. He could still compete for a bench job, and having him on hand provides some depth in the event of injuries to the primary options currently on the roster.
Thumbs up to the Royals for this signing. Get the former big leaguers around in case you need them due to injury.
Good luck, Brandon. I wish you were still an Angel.
Yankees have a Judge, but the Royals only have a Drury.
He was the “Donovan” everyone wanted a few years ago.
After that start with the Reds when he resurrected his career, everyone wanted to trade for him, then go after him in free agency.
Better player should have better numbers.
Actually a decent career for a 13th round pick.
I think drury is probably a late bloomer. Not to long ago I think he got a silver slugger with the angels. He’s only 33. I am 73 and I can still hit🌝🌝
Hey, I’m 63, took batting practice with some local minor leaguers last year and still raked pretty good for an old catcher with bad knees. 🙂
Who was the pitcher you referred to in a recent article?
Good signing for the Royals. Worth taking a chance on a power hitting RH bat. Hope he sticks!
I was psyched to see what Drury was going to do last season in Chicago after the big numbers he put up in spring training.
I think the dissappointment with the injury crushed him last year.
Unfortunately there isnt the same runway to playing time as he had in Chicago last season. A starting job, the opportunity to play everyday, can spark something in a player. As it sits, he is competing for a roster spot with a long group. Kam Misener, John Rave, Josh Rojas, Abraham Toro all in AAA with the Royals looking to be the guy who makes the squad as a reserve. Drury the oldest.
I think MLB needs to expand in a big way. 40 teams.
Small markets, small ballparks. MLB needs to move it forward at a fast pace. Ten new teams would be a lot of wood on the fire.
Can they be profitable clubs? I am uncertain but its an exciting proposition. Eight divisions of five teams.
Eight division winners in the playoffs. 2nd and 3rd play for the wild card in each division with the third place teams having to win two games to advance. Honess back to competing within your division. Realign the divisions by market cap. Small markets get a pair of teams into the Divisional round every season. In that way, they can run their business with a focus on profitability.
As Steve Adams recently said: “Is Anyone Even Trying To Win The AL Central?”
The Royals are short on major assets, but are drowning in depth!
Steve, this article is so much better than what some of the other staff writers put out about minor league signings. Concise and to the point, while referencing recent performance. There’s no need for nine paragraphs about what a guy did back in 2006, starting with his initial year at low-A. Good on ya!