Derek Norris

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #9 prospect in 2012
  Norris long has been regarded as a gifted offensive player, but early in his pro career there were questions about the converted third baseman's ability to catch. He answered them by making great strides defensively in Double-A in 2011, when he also slugged 20 homers but hit just .210. Despite his low batting averages and high strikeout totals, Norris has excellent pitch recognition and the ability to command the zone when he stays back. When he struggles, he jumps to his front side too early and his bat doesn't stay in the zone. He has quick hands and a compact stroke that generates plus power from line to line, though he's at his best when he's driving the ball to right-center. Norris' throwing, receiving, footwork, blocking and game-calling have improved. He still needs to polish his receiving, but his solid-average arm helped him throw out an Eastern League-high 40 percent of basestealers. A great athlete for a catcher, he has good speed underway and isn't afraid to steal bases. Protected on the 40-man roster in November, Norris now looks likely to stick behind the plate as a big leaguer, and his offensive ability gives him a chance to be an all-star. Wilson Ramos poses an obstacle in Washington that he'll have to deal with after he spends 2012 in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2011
  After establishing himself as the best position-player prospect in the Nationals system in 2009, Norris broke the hamate bone in his left hand that fall. Complications from surgery caused him to miss the first month of the 2010 season, and he was hit in the head with a 95-mph fastball shortly after returning. He never really got fully healthy until the fall, when he hit .278/.403/.677 in the Arizona Fall League. Norris has a compact, efficient swing with plus power potential, and he can hit the ball to all fields. He has exceptional pitch recognition, feel for the strike zone and discipline, allowing him to lead his leagues in walks in each of the last two years. Sometimes he takes too many pitches, and Washington wants him to pounce when he gets a pitch he can drive. Considering he had little catching experience before turning pro, Norris has made major strides defensively. He still needs to improve his receiving, but he has gotten better at blocking balls in the dirt. His solid-average arm plays up because of his quick release and accuracy, allowing him to throw out 51 percent of basestealers last year. He has fringe-average speed. An offensive catcher with all-star potential, Norris will reach Double-A Harrisburg at age 22 in 2011. If his defense continues to progress, he could reach the big leagues the following year.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #2 prospect in 2010
  Norris ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the short-season New York-Penn League in 2008 and the No. 4 prospect in the low Class A South Atlantic League in 2009, when he led the circuit in walks (90) and on-base percentage (.413). Two days before he was scheduled to leave instructional league for the Arizona Fall League, Norris broke the hamate bone in his hand while fouling a ball off, sidelining him for the rest of the winter. Norris has a strong, compact swing and the ability to make consistent, hard contact to all fields. He has a mature, patient offensive approach, excellent pitch recognition and advanced strike-zone awareness. He has above-average power to the pull side and also good power the other way. Behind the plate, he has good agility and blocking skills, solid-average arm strength and a quick release, helping him throw out 36 percent of basestealers last season. The Nationals kept him in the Sally League all year to improve his receiving skills, and he led SAL catchers with 18 errors and 28 passed balls. Converted from third base as high school senior, he's still working on his setup, specifically keeping his hands back and his knees out of the way. He sometimes loses focus on his defense. Norris projects as an above-average offensive player in the big leagues, and if he can become an average defender, he can be an all-star. He should be fully healthy for spring training and will start 2010 at high Class A Potomac.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #6 prospect in 2009
  A year after hitting .203 in his pro debut in the Gulf Coast League, Norris took the greatest step forward of any Nats farmhand in 2008. Playing against mostly older competition as a 19-year-old, Norris led the short-season New York-Penn League with 63 walks--22 more than any other hitter in the league--and ranked as its No. 4 prospect. As evidenced by his walk total, Norris has a very patient offensive approach. His strong, sturdy build produces solid-average to plus power, mostly to left field, though he has improved at using the right-center gap. He loves to hit and works hard at his offensive game. He has a strong arm and a quick release, helping him throw out an NY-P-best 47 percent of basestealers in 2008. He runs well for a catcher. Norris didn't start catching until his senior year of high school after spending three years at third base, and his receiving remains very raw, as his 16 passed balls last year attest. He tends to pick balls in the dirt instead of blocking them. The Nationals want him to take more pride in his defense, but some club officials question whether he'll stick behind the plate long-term. If Norris can become just adequate defensively, his bat could make him a star in the big leagues. He'll advance to low Class A in 2009.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #22 prospect in 2008
  Norris' high school senior season got off to a slow start in 2007 when an overthrow hit him in the head while he was sitting in the dugout. He recovered to have a solid year and solidify his place as the best prep prospect in Kansas, and he passed up a scholarship from Wichita State to sign with the Nationals for $210,000 as a fourth-round pick. Norris flashed some of his above-average power potential in his pro debut and he has a fairly mature approach for his age. He's not afraid to take walks and shows the ability to hit the ball the other way, though his swing remains raw. Defensively, Norris didn't start catching until his senior year of high school after playing third base his first three seasons, so naturally he needs more experience to refine his skills behind the plate. But former all-star catcher Bob Boone, Washington's vice president of player personnel, likes how Norris approaches catching and sees some softness in his hands and quickness in his feet. He has a strong arm but needs to work on his exchange after throwing out just 24 percent of basestealers in his debut. The Nationals haven't had much luck developing catchers in recent years, but Norris has enough tools to become their catcher of the future, though that future is years away. He figures to get a crack at Vermont at some point in 2008.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pacific Coast League #18 prospect in 2012
  Traded to the Athletics last December in a blockbuster deal that sent Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals, Norris' led to a second deal between the two teams. When Oakland deemed Norris ready for everyday play in August, it sent veteran Kurt Suzuki to Washington for catching prospect David Freitas. Norris struggled with the A's but showed good offensive potential for a catcher in the PCL. He makes hard contact and has solid power, and while he can get pull-conscious, he makes up for low batting averages by drawing a lot of walks and posting high on-base percentages. He handles himself fine behind the plate and has an average, accurate arm that caught 32 percent of PCL basestealers. He's more athletic and a better runner than most catchers.
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  Ranked Eastern League #12 prospect in 2011
  Norris had the best .210 season in the minors, ranking third in the EL with 77 walks and slugging 20 homers despite missing time in April with an ankle injury. He remains an enigmatic hitter, with patience and above-average power as well as a swing that scouts like. At the same time, he gets too passive at times and pull-conscious at others, and his batting averages have declined steadily in full-season ball. Though scouts still consider Norris an offensive catcher, he has improved defensively, so much so that his bat doesn't completely have to carry the load. His receiving still needs polish, as evidenced by his 15 passed balls, but he doesn't box nearly as many pitches as he used to. He's refined his throwing technique and used his average arm strength to throw out a league-best 40 percent of basestealers. He's also more athletic than most catchers and a solid runner underway, capable of stealing 10-12 bases per year at his peak.
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  Ranked Arizona Fall League #7 prospect in 2010
  While Bryce Harper got most of the hype, another Nationals prospect quietly had a nice AFL season. Norris, 21, spent all of 2010 at the high Class A level but wasn't intimidated by the more experienced pitchers in Arizona. He hit .278/.403/.667, showing plus raw power, with four home runs and 19 RBIs, and drew 11 walks in 54 at-bats. Most of the questions on Norris' future revolve around his abilities behind the plate. His defense in Arizona was better than advertised, as he showed soft hands and a strong arm; he primarily needs to improve his release times on throws to second base. With the acquisition of Wilson Ramos from the Twins and Norris' improvement, the catching position is now one of strength for the Washington organization.
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  Ranked Carolina League #11 prospect in 2010
  A large portion of Norris' year of development was spoiled by his delayed return from hamate bone surgery and a pitch he took to the head. He still managed to show his usual prowess for getting on base, leading the league with 88 walks, and helped Potomac win the league championship. Whether he stays behind the plate remains a question, especially after the Nationals acquired Wilson Ramos in a midseason trade for Matt Capps. Norris has plus power and can drive the ball out of the park to all fields, projecting as a .260-.270 hitter with 20 or more homers annually in the big leagues. Though he does a good job of working counts and drawing walks, he needs to make adjustments against offspeed pitches and make more consistent contact. He has a solid arm and threw out 51 percent of CL basestealers who tested him, but he lacks soft hands and his receiving skills are substandard. "He had an up-and-down year, nowhere near what we thought," Cathcart said. "That hamate bone contributed to his slow start, and then he was in a little bit of a groove until he got hit with a fastball in Salem. He has been healthy now for a couple of months and just not found a groove again. His defense has improved, but it's something he's going to have to work on daily."
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #4 prospect in 2009
  Norris earned near-unanimous praise as the SAL's best position player, and managers rated him as the league's best batting prospect and best power prospect at midseason. His swing is similar to his 6-foot, 210-pound frame: strong and compact. He has natural pull-side power and drives the ball to all fields. He also shows good plate discipline, with league highs in walks (90) and on-base percentage (.413). Catching five games a week throughout the season took a toll late in the season, and his numbers dropped in August. "Hitting-wise, he was as advertised," Quataro said. "He swings it very well and should stay behind the plate in the future." He led SAL catchers with 18 errors and 28 passed balls. He isn't a great receiver, but blocks well on pitches directly in front of him. He has an average arm and enhances it with nimble feet and a quick release, throwing out 36 percent of basestealers.
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #4 prospect in 2008
  Norris hit just .203 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in his pro debut last year, but he turned a corner as a 19-year-old in the NY-P. His power potential and plus arm were his best tools in high school, and he earned raves for both this summer. He has average or better pull power and is learning to use the whole field. Norris has a terrific feel for the strike zone and led the league with 63 walks--22 more than any other hitter in the NY-P--and a .444 on-base percentage. Norris' strong arm and quick release helped him throw out a league-best 47 percent of basestealers. He's very aggressive throwing to every base and calls a good game. He's also a surprisingly good receiver for someone who didn't start catching until his senior year of high school, but he still needs to work on blocking because he has a tendency to try to pick pitches in the dirt.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #72 prospect in 2011
• Ranked Baseball America's #38 prospect in 2010

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Norris long has been regarded as a gifted offensive player, but early in his pro career there were questions about the converted third baseman's ability to catch. He answered them by making strides defensively in Double-A in 2011, when he also slugged 20 homers but also hit .210. The A's added him in December as part of the Gio Gonzalez trade with the Nationals.Scouting Report: Despite his low batting averages and high strikeout totals, Norris has excellent pitch recognition. When he struggles, he jumps to his front side too early and his bat doesn't stay in the hitting zone. He has quick hands and a compact stroke that generates plus power from line to line, though he's at his best when he's driving the ball to right-center. Norris' throwing, receiving, footwork, blocking and game-calling all have improved significantly. He still needs to polish his receiving a bit more, but his solid arm helped him throw out an Eastern League-high 40 percent of basestealers. A great athlete for a catcher, he has good speed underway and isn't afraid to steal bases.The Future: Norris now looks likely to stick behind the plate as a big leaguer, and his offensive ability gives him a chance to be an all-star. He'll spend 2012 in Triple-A and then make a run at Kurt Suzuki's job.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Norris long has been regarded as a gifted offensive player, but early in his pro career there were questions about the converted third baseman's ability to catch. He answered them by making great strides defensively in Double-A in 2011, when he also slugged 20 homers but also hit .210. Scouting Report: Despite his low batting averages and high strikeout totals, Norris has excellent pitch recognition and the ability to command the zone when he stays back. When he struggles, he jumps to his front side too early and his bat doesn't stay in the zone. He has quick hands and a compact stroke that generates plus power from line to line, though he's at his best when he's driving the ball to right-center. Norris' throwing, receiving, footwork, blocking and game-calling all have improved significantly. He still needs to polish his receiving a bit more, but his solid-average arm helped him throw out an Eastern League-high 40 percent of basestealers. A great athlete for a catcher, he has good speed underway and isn't afraid to steal bases. The Future: Norris now looks likely to stick behind the plate as a big leaguer, and his offensive ability gives him a chance to be an all-star. Wilson Ramos poses an obstacle in Washington that he'll have to deal with after he spends 2012 in Triple-A.
• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  After establishing himself as the best position-player prospect in the Nationals system in 2009, Norris broke the hamate bone in his left hand that fall. Complications from surgery caused him to miss the first month of the 2010 season, and he was hit in the head with a 95-mph fastball shortly after returning. He never really got fully healthy until the fall, when he hit .278/.403/.677 in the Arizona Fall League. Norris has a compact, efficient swing with plus power potential, and he can hit the ball to all fields. He has exceptional pitch recognition, feel for the strike zone and discipline, allowing him to lead his leagues in walks in each of the last two years. Sometimes he takes too many pitches, and Washington wants him to pounce when he gets a pitch he can drive. Considering he had little catching experience before turning pro, Norris has made major strides defensively. He still needs to improve his receiving, but he has gotten better at blocking balls in the dirt. His solid-average arm plays up because of his quick release and accuracy, allowing him to throw out 51 percent of basestealers last year. He has fringe-average speed. An offensive catcher with all-star potential, Norris will reach Double-A Harrisburg at age 22 in 2011. If his defense continues to progress, he could reach the big leagues the following year.
• August, 2010 Scouting Report
  While Bryce Harper got most of the hype, another Nationals prospect quietly had a nice AFL season. Norris, 21, spent all of 2010 at the high Class A level but wasn't intimidated by the more experienced pitchers in Arizona. He hit .278/.403/.667, showing plus raw power, with four home runs and 19 RBIs, and drew 11 walks in 54 at-bats. Most of the questions on Norris' future revolve around his abilities behind the plate. His defense in Arizona was better than advertised, as he showed soft hands and a strong arm; he primarily needs to improve his release times on throws to second base. With the acquisition of Wilson Ramos from the Twins and Norris' improvement, the catching position is now one of strength for the Washington organization.