Derek Norris

2013

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2012

An on-base machine, Norris has a career 19 percent walk rate in the minors, but his inability to consistently make contact (23.2 percent career strikeout rate) is a major concern. Power isn’t a problem (.209 career ISO), but his receiving skills have been called into question. Traded to Oakland in December, Norris' on-base skills fit the A's traditional Moneyball mold, while he will likely have another season to work on his defense at Double- and Triple-A before taking over for Kurt Suzuki.

2011

The wrist injury Norris suffered at the end of 2009 was bad enough, but there's also no telling how long the concussion he suffered after a May beaning affected him through the summer. All in all it was something of a lost year for a player who is still supposed to be a big part of the Nationals' future, although his batting eye remained stellar even as his power evaporated, and idle musings about him moving to first base if his defense doesn't improve will have to wait until Norris re-establishes that he has a bat that can actually play at another position. His big showing in the Arizona Fall League (1.070 OPS) was an important first step towards putting the shine back on his top prospect status.

2010

Norris solidified his spot as the Nationals' catcher of the future in 2009, showing good pop, great plate discipline and decent receiving skills as a 20-year-old at Low-A. A broken hand kept him out of the AFL this offseason, but he should be fully recovered by the spring and will continue his climb up the ladder. With Jesus Flores in the majors the Nats don't need to rush Norris, but he could be knocking on the door by late 2011.