Brandon Drury has three homers and six doubles in 11 Cactus League games for the White Sox.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — To have that 2022 and ’23 version of Brandon Drury, now that would be something.

Thirty-six spring-training at-bats do not an “I’m back” make, but Drury, after going 12-for-33 (.361/.395/.806) with three home runs, seven doubles and 11 RBI in 12 games for the White Sox this spring, feels a lot like his old self and nothing like the 2024 version that saw him bat .169/.242/.228 in 360 plate appearances with the Angels.

Hamstring and wrist injuries were at play, ailments that adversely affected Drury’s swing. After he had slogged through the worst year of his career, he was not tendered a contract, and the Sox, taking swings in all directions for minor-league free agents and inviting them to spring training, came calling. Drury saw an opportunity to play and get his career percolating again.

“I saw a good opportunity here to get myself back on track,” Drury, 32, said.

So far, so good.

“I feel like I have a lot to prove,” said Drury, who drove in a run with a double Saturday against the Diamondbacks in Scottsdale a day after hitting two homers and a double against the Reds. “I was finding my way in ’22 and ’23, had some pretty good years. I feel like I’m getting better, and I have to prove it.”

The Sox were the worst team in the majors in numerous offensive categories and the worst team of the modern era in 2024. They’re rebuilding, but if Drury hits like this, they’ll find a spot for him. Designated hitter is open, and there are several positions to be filled as manager Will Venable plans to move players around on his 26-man roster.

“I’ll play anywhere,” said Drury, who has appeared in 340 games at second base, 227 at third and 109 at first in his 10-year career.

He also has played the outfield and a little at shortstop. He played his first game of the spring at second base against the D-backs.

Drury won a Silver Slugger Award with the Reds and Padres in 2022 and had a better year with the Angels in 2023 but battled those injuries in 2024.

“I went through a bunch of stuff the whole season,” Drury said. “Probably shouldn’t have, but I did.”

When he wasn’t physically right, Drury said he couldn’t square the ball up. He hit almost everything into the ground, to the tune of a 57% ground-ball rate. Now he’s feeling right and keeping it simple.

“Be short and behind the baseball,” he said. “Let the ball come to me and pulling it. Right away I went to, how simple can I be.

“It is just spring training, but to be able to lift the ball like that, I’m excited about that.”

From 2021 to 2023, Drury batted .263/.313/.493 with 58 homers in 1,179 plate appearances. It’s early, and it’s only camp games, but he looks more like that than his forgettable ’24 version.

“He looks great,” Venable said. “The bat has really come along. It looks more like the ’22/’23 version than last year’s version of Brandon.’’

It’s too soon to hand Drury a job, but you have to like his chances.

“We’re still working through decisions and stuff, and we’ll use this last little bit of camp to figure out where we’re going to be at roster-wise,” Venable said, “but amazing job by Brandon after a tough year to have the camp that he’s had.”

How the infield sorts itself out with Chase Meidroth, Jacob Amaya and Josh Rojas at shortstop and Rojas, Lenyn Sosa and Drury at second and third will become known next week. The last day of spring training is in nine days.

“We’re going to continue to evaluate these last couple of days,” Venable said. “We know Brandon can play second, he can play third and he can play first. Hopefully, these next few days, we can figure out how these pieces fit together.”