Arizona Diamondbacks prospect Brandon Drury to split time between 2nd and 3rd

Not so long ago, it wasn't hard to envision Brandon Drury being the Diamondbacks' third baseman of the future. Once the team traded away Martin Prado at last year's deadline, only Drury and Jake Lamb remained in the system at third as notable prospects.

But then the team signed Cuban free agent Yasmany Tomas to a massive contract to play third, providing he can handle it, and now it looks like Drury's future might be elsewhere — second base. He'll split time between second and third during spring training.

Drury played a few games at second during the Arizona Fall League and handled it twice in Double-A Mobile last year.

"I don't feel like I need extra reps at second to be game-ready there," he said. "I felt good there."

That doesn't mean he's not open to instruction. In fact, he's been seeking it. During a fielding drill Friday, Drury approached veteran Aaron Hill for advice. Hill called for a halt to the drill so he could give the prospect a few pointers.

Hill was impressed that Drury asked, and even more impressed how quickly he picked up what Hill laid down.

"He made the adjustments easy. Easy," Hill said. "What's great, too, is when a guy is willing to ask question. He's a sponge and he wants to learn. I think it's awesome."

Drury hasn't thought about whether second base is his quickest path to the majors, or whether he has a shot of making the team in his first big-league spring training. Certainly if he keeps hitting like he did the past two seasons — an .862 OPS in High-A in 2013, and an .821 mark between Double- and Triple-A last year — the team will find a spot for him.

"I can just control how I work and how I go about my business each day," Drury said.

Chafin to start spring opener

Left-hander Andrew Chafin will start the spring opener against Arizona State on Tuesday. The 24-year-old was a non-roster invitee to camp last year, but did not get the opportunity to throw in a spring training game.

"I'm really excited about it, obviously," Chafin said. "After last spring not having a chance to throw any innings, this is a great opportunity for me to go out there and see how it goes."

Chafin is one of 14 starting pitchers vying for the final three rotation spots, and one of only three lefties. He had two brief stints in the majors last year, making three starts and posting a 3.86 ERA. He'll get only one more bullpen session to work into form, but Chafin feels he's more or less ready.

"There's always things to work on, but I feel comfortable with what I have right now," he said.

Manager Chip Hale said he's got the entire spring scheduled in terms of innings for his flock of starters, put together by working backward from Opening Day. That includes his likely Opening Day starter, which he's keeping to himself. (Odds are it'll be right hander Josh Collmenter, the only rotation lock who was on the roster last year.)

"We have a pretty good idea," Hale said. "We'll release it when we're ready."

Short hop

Lefty reliever Matt Reynolds has yet to face hitters in spring training, his start to camp delayed by a minor rib issue on his right side. He is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Sunday. Reynolds is coming back from Tommy John surgery, although he completed his rehab at the end of last season.