Brandon Drury

Brandon Shane Drury, born on August 21, 1992, is an American professional baseball player currently undertaking a utility role for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Drury embarked on his professional baseball career after being drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2010. His journey in the MLB has seen him feature for multiple teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres.

Originating from Grants Pass, Oregon, Drury began his baseball career in high school, playing as a shortstop for the Grants Pass High School team. He showcased his skills and commitment to the sport by committing to Oregon State University with the goal of playing college baseball.

Drury’s talents didn’t go unnoticed. The Atlanta Braves drafted him in the 13th round of the 2010 MLB draft. He marked his professional debut with the Gulf Coast Braves, closing the year with a hitting average of .198. Over the next two years, Drury exhibited steady growth and even clinched the title of most valuable player of the Appalachian League in 2011.

In 2013, the Atlanta Braves traded Drury and several other players to the Arizona Diamondbacks. While at the Diamondbacks, Drury improved his performance, hitting .302 and .299 in two subsequent years. His noteworthy performance in the Diamondbacks led him to receive an invitation to the 2015 spring training.

The year 2015 was a significant milestone in Drury’s career. After shining during the spring training, he was promoted to the Reno Aces of the AAA Pacific Coast League in June the same year. His MLB debut came a few months later, in September, when the Diamondbacks called him up. In his debut game, Drury obtained his first major league hit.

In 2016, Drury’s remarkable offensive play led him to become a potential backup outfielder during spring training. He was recalled by the Diamondbacks to cover for an injured player. However, in 2018, the Diamondbacks traded him to the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, his stint with the Yankees was put on hold due to severe migraines.

Drury’s collective performances drew the attention of the Toronto Blue Jays, who received him in a trade deal in July 2018. He had a respectable tenure at Blue Jays, contributing 15 home runs and 41 runs batted in, although he experienced a bit of an offensive struggle during his two seasons with them.

The New York Mets offered Drury a minor league contract in early 2021. He started the season with the Syracuse Mets and was later upgraded to the active roster. His time with the Mets yielded four home runs before he ended his stint with them in October the same year, electing free agency.

Drury’s transformative journey took him to the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres during the 2022 season. As a third baseman for the Reds, he delivered exceptional performances and even got named as the team’s top offensive player for the first half of that season. He closed his time in the Reds with 20 home runs and 59 RBIs.

The San Diego Padres traded for him in August 2022. In his first game as a Padre, Drury celebrated with a grand slam. He concluded his run with the Padres with eight home runs and 28 RBIs.

In December 2022, Drury signed a two-year $17 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels. His debut season with the Angels in 2023, saw him play in 125 games and achieving remarkable stats that included 26 home runs and 83 RBIs. Now, as a utility player for the Los Angeles Angels, the baseball professional is a testament to career endurance and skill in the MLB.