Yankees: Why Brandon Drury might be their next breakout star

Despite two heartbreaking losses to finish off their opening series of the season the Yankees have to feel good about what they’ve seen from new third basemen Brandon Drury.

When the Yankees acquired Drury at the beginning of spring training it was clear he was going to be their starting third basemen. Brian Cashman gave up a pair of quality prospects to get him after he had had eyes on bringing him to New York for quite some time. Cashman saw the potential for more from Drury and thought if he was given the opportunity to play every day he could reach another level.

So far so good as Drury finished the four-game set in Toronto hitting .385 with a home run and four RBI to tie Giancarlo Stanton for the team lead. While the rest of the Yankees lineup has yet to get going Drury has picked up the slack in the bottom of the order. On Friday he had two big hits to drive in a pair in the Yankees 4-2 win and yesterday he launched his first home run as a Yankee off Jay’s ace Marcus Stroman.

Getting the ball in the air is something Drury has put an emphasis on and that’s one of the reasons why Cashman made the trade to get him. Launch angle is a popular phrase used in the game today and that’s something he has really worked on. He started to reinvent his swing last season when he worked with teammate J.D Martinez on the Diamondbacks and he continued to do so during the offseason and spring training.

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Last year Drury had 37 doubles with the D’Backs and the hope is that with his re-structured swing he can turn some of those two-baggers into home runs. He should be able to do so playing his home games at Yankee Stadium while also surpassing his career high of 16 home runs.

One thing we’ve already seen in the early going is Drury’s ability to hit for power to the opposite field so the short porch in right should play into his strengths.

Another thing we’ve seen is his slick glove at third base. During his time in Arizona, he was always blocked by Jake Lamb at the hot corner even though that has always been his most natural position.

The Yankees knew that and brought him in to play strictly at third despite his ability to play multiple positions. That tells you a lot about what they think of Drury’s potential. Especially when you consider how top third base prospect Miguel Andujar had been taking reps at first base before his recent promotion.

Next: Andujar gets the call after McKinney lands on the DL

The sample size is small but early on Drury really looks like a player who is going to have a big season in pinstripes. You can tell just by the way he carries himself that he’s a gamer. I know it’s early but it looks like Cashman did it again and struck gold when he acquired Drury.