The San Diego Padres made the biggest splash at the MLB Trade Deadline by acquiring superstar Juan Soto. Trading for Soto might have caused another one of San Diego’s pickups — Brandon Drury — to go somewhat unnoticed. But in his first at-bat with the Padres, Drury was anything but unnoticed.
Drury came up in the first inning of Wednesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies, with the bases loaded and San Diego leading 1-0. After one pitch, the bases were no longer loaded — and the score was no longer 1-0.
Drury took the first offering from Colorado’s Chad Kuhl and launched it over the left field wall for a grand slam.
Brandon Drury? No, that's Slam-don Drury. #TimeToShine pic.twitter.com/73sYlRnfz4
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) August 4, 2022
In the history of the Padres, that had never been done before.
Brandon Drury is the first player in Padres history to hit a grand slam in his first plate appearance.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) August 4, 2022
In fact, in only one pitch, Drury set a record for the most RBI any Padre has ever had in his first game with the team.
one plate appearance in to his Padres debut, Brandon Drury has set a record for most RBI in a player's 1st game as a Padre, with 4
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 4, 2022
While the first day at a new job can often be a little awkward, Drury seems to have quickly overcome that. And his epic first swing caught the attention of baseball fans everywhere.
Soto first AB: walk
Bell first AB: walk
Drury first AB: Grand Slam
Think it's gonna be fun in San Diego this fall.— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) August 4, 2022
Soto walks, Bell walks. Drury hits a grand slam. Preller wins.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) August 4, 2022
Hey it pays to try. Soto: walk. Bell: walk. Drury: grand slam. Welcome to slam Diego!
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) August 4, 2022
"Brandon Drury now plays in SLAM DIEGO!"
Perfect Don Orsillo call. Drury hits a grand slam on the first pitch he sees as a Padre. This is so fun!
— ByMattMartell (@ByMattMartell) August 4, 2022
Naturally, when your team acquires Soto, everything else will fly under-the-radar. But Drury was having a very nice season for the Cincinnati Reds, hitting .274/.335/.520 with 20 home runs prior to his trade.
He certainly knows how to make a good first impression. And Soto’s wishes of “good luck” to pitchers opposing the Padres star-studded lineup now look quite prescient.
[San Diego Padres, AJ Cassavell, Sarah Langs]
