Blue Jays: Brandon Drury looking to prove himself in 2019

Appearing in just 28 games last season, Brandon Drury is looking to prove himself as a major league starter in 2019.

Brandon Drury was acquired by the Yankees from the D-Backs in February of this year. He was apart of a three-team deal between the Diamondbacks, Yankees, and Rays, in which Drury was the lone player heading to New York in the deal.

Following the trade, Drury started the 2018 season as the Yankees starting 3B, and although he had a lot of competition for the job, there was optimism he would be able to keep the position for some time until New York’s #1 prospect Miguel Andujar was ready to be the everyday 3B.

Just a week or so until the season though (April 7), New York placed Drury on the 10-day disabled list for severe migraines, and after a couple rehab assignments and an assignment to the minor leagues, he didn’t make his way back to the major leagues until June 29th.

While on the DL, the Yankees team doctors found out that Drury’s migraines and impaired vision were due to “an irritated tendon running up his neck and into his head”. After being placed on the DL by the team, Drury admitted that he had been trying to play through migraines and “very, very blurry” vision for years. Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he had no prior knowledge of the injury. “(Drury) admitted he’s been hiding it for years.”

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By the time Drury made his way back to the Yankees after his stint on the DL and in the minor leagues, Miguel Andujar had already taken over the starting 3B position. Once it was clear Drury didn’t have a spot on the Yankees roster, they made a trade.

As the non-waiver trade deadline approached, the Yankees and Blue Jays struck a deal centered around veteran left-hander J.A. Happ. Happ was traded to New York in exchange for OF Billy McKinney, and INF Brandon Drury.

The injury woes continued for Drury upon his arrival in Toronto, as he played just 8 games as a member of the Blue Jays before being placed on the 60 day DL for a left-hand fracture he suffered as a member of the Yankees, two days before he was traded.

Between the Yankees and Blue Jays, Drury appeared in just 28 games this past season, in which he slashed .169/.256/.260.

With a plethora of infielders on the Blue Jays roster, Brandon Drury will have to earn his playing time this upcoming season, although he is likely looking to do much more than that. Drury will be looking to prove he can regain his 2016 form and be a more than capable everyday major leaguer.