The Kansas City Royals have been quietly but steadily reshaping their outfield this offseason. After swinging a trade for Isaac Collins and inking Lane Thomas to a deal, the outfield picture is starting to take shape. But in baseball, depth is currency-and with Spring Training just around the corner, the Royals are still looking to add layers of competition and experience to the roster.
Enter Brandon Drury.
On Wednesday morning, the Royals announced they’ve signed the veteran infielder/outfielder to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. It’s a low-risk move that adds a seasoned bat and a versatile glove to the mix.
Drury, now 33, brings a decade of Major League experience with him, having spent time with the Blue Jays, Angels, and several other clubs over his career. His most recent stint in the big leagues came in 2024 with the Angels, where, to put it bluntly, things didn’t go as planned.
Across 97 games, Drury posted a .169 batting average, a .469 OPS, and a 34 OPS+-numbers that marked the worst season of his professional career. Add in below-average defense, and it’s easy to see why he didn’t make it back to the Majors in 2025, despite bouncing between organizations like the White Sox and Angels.
But here’s the thing about Spring Training: it’s a clean slate. And while Drury’s 2024 numbers paint a grim picture, they don’t erase what he was just a couple of seasons ago.
In 2022, he posted an .813 OPS. In 2023, it was .803.
That’s not ancient history-that’s recent production that suggests there may still be something left in the tank.
For the Royals, this is a smart move. Drury brings positional flexibility-he can handle both infield and outfield duties-and with his track record, even a modest bounce-back could make him a valuable bench piece. At the very least, he’ll push the younger players in camp and add a veteran presence to the clubhouse.
Kansas City isn’t banking on Drury to be a cornerstone. But in a long season where injuries and slumps are inevitable, having a guy who’s been through the grind and knows how to contribute when called upon? That’s the kind of depth that can quietly pay off.
So while this signing won’t grab headlines, it’s the kind of move that smart teams make-taking a chance on a proven player with something to prove. And for Drury, the opportunity is clear: show he still belongs, and maybe earn one more shot at the big leagues.