Each year at 213 we look through the Non-Roster Invitees to spring training and get to know them a bit. Are they in camp to get a look at big league hitting/pitching to aid their development? Are the Mets just trying to get a better look at a future rookie? Are they a veteran trying to get back to the major league level? What can we expect from them this season?
Brandon Drury was a January depth signing for the Mets who spent a good portion of this off-season trying to rebuild out depth. Drury was drafted by the Braves in 2010 and was traded with Nick Ahmed, Martin Prado and others for to the Diamondbacks in January 2013 for Chris Johnson and Justin Upton. Drury would make his major league debut with the Diamondbacks in 2015. In 2018 he was part of a three team trade between the Diamondbacks, Yankees and Rays (he ended up with the Yankees). He was traded again (lots of trades!) in a deadline deal to the Blue Jays for J.A. Happ.
So from that part alone – Brandon has dealt with New York before, has dealt a lot with being dealt and just change in general.
Over his career he has hit .248/.296/.411 with his best season being in 2016 and his worst season in 2020. At his best he hit .282/.329/.438 over 461 PA’s. At his worst he hit .152/.184/.174 in 49 PA’s. His career stats are skewed to his time in Arizona where he was much more successful and got over 480 PA’s in back to back seasons. Since then he’s struggled.
The Mets have a crowded infield already, made confusing by their lack of a true centerfielder that has infielders finding playing time in the outfield. A good spring and Drury could find himself a lot higher up on the depth chart. Its difficult to see outside an injury how he finds significant playing time on the Mets. That being said – he has a ton of major league experience and is a smart signing for a team looking to stretch out their depth. I’m expecting him to be in camp until the end of Spring.
