The Los Angeles Angels are surprisingly in the postseason mix as the All-Star break approaches. They are 1 1/2 games out of a wild card spot entering play on Friday.
The Angels have some solid offensive players. Zack Neto, Mike Trout, Jo Adell, Taylor Ward and Nolan Scanuel all have an OPS+ over 100. However, the team is taking a chance on Brandon Drury, whom they just signed to a minor league contract, according to Baseball America’s Taylor Blake Ward.
Drury was with the team last season and played in 97 games. He had four home runs, but struggled overall. He signed a two-year, $17 million deal with the Angels in 2022. He slashed .262/.306/.497 in his first season. He is a former Silver Slugger Award winner with 10 years of big league experience.
Drury was with the Chicago White Sox in spring training. He slashed .410/.439/.821 in 13 games before suffering a fractured thumb. He played in 10 games with the White Sox Triple-A affiliate before he was released in May.
Ward may not end up being a factor for the Angels as they look to make it into October. However, he is a low-risk signing who could end up finding some of the form he had in spring training.
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He has a .245/.296/.421 slash line in his career with 109 home runs. He is a versatile defender as well. There is no real downside to signing him to a minor league contract. If he breaks out, he could figure into the team’s big league plans.
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