2 big differences between Jason Vosler and Brandon Drury

There are always some surprises when the baseball season first gets underway. This year, it's Cincinnati Reds infielder Jason Vosler.

After hitting a two-run triple on Opening Day, Vosler got the start in place of the injured Joey Votto on Sunday afternoon's series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Reds infielder went yard and is 3-for-8 through the first two games of the 2023 season.

Vosler's impact is eerily reminisce of former Cincinnati infielder Brandon Drury. Now with the Los Angeles Angels, Drury made his mark with the Cincinnati Reds on Opening Day last season with a three-run homer. Will Vosler have a similar impact in 2023?

Jason Vosler could have a Brandon Drury-like impact on the Reds in 2023.

Jason Vosler, just like Brandon Drury, was a non-roster invitee to Cincinnati Reds spring training. Vosler, just like Drury, used a strong showing during Cactus League play to propel him onto the Opening Day roster. So it begs the question, can Reds fans expect the same type of play from Vosler that Drury put forth just a year ago?

I think we need to put the brakes on, if only for the simple fact that the playing time just isn't going to be there for Vosler like it was for Drury in 2022. Vosler made the club simply because Joey Votto was not yet ready to go following shoulder surgery.

Had Votto been on the Reds Opening Day roster, Vosler would likely be at Triple-A right now. In fact, when Votto returns from his rehab assignment, it's quite likely that Vosler will be optioned to to Triple-A Louisville.

Brandon Drury was added to the Reds 26-man roster last season after both Jose Barrero and Donovan Solano were lost to injury at the outset of the 2022 season. Drury's playing time only increased once Jonathan India was sidelined with a hamstring injury.

This year, it's about the young players on the team. Will Jason Vosler get opportunities? Sure. But the Reds are not going to play Vosler over the likes of Spencer Steer or even Nick Senzel. While Cincinnati isn't going to just toss Vosler aside, fans will not see the 29-year-old as a regular in the Reds lineup once the team is at full-strength.

One of the biggest differences between Vosler and Drury is the presence of minor-league options. According to FanGraphs, Vosler has one remaining, while Drury did not. This will allow the Cincinnati Reds to move Vosler between Triple-A and the major leagues as needed.

Drury was also a free agent after the 2022 season, which made him an obvious trade candidate for the Cincinnati Reds last summer. Vosler is under team control through the 2028 season, so there's absolutely no rush to move on from the former 16th-round pick.

Jason Vosler can have an impact on this year's Reds team, serving in a utility role during the 2023 season and beyond. The New York native is making the most of his opportunity at the moment, and will hopefully continue to impact the game as the season progresses.