Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ARI | LHP | 23 | 45 |
Grades Update: Dec 2020
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | SL | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 45 | 40/30 |
Dec 2020 Report
Evaluator: Tyler Jennings
Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2020 3rd
RuleV: 2025
Physical Description: Big, sturdy build at 6'4", 215 pounds with broad shoulders, long limbs, and a high waist. More of a physical specimen than an athletic one. Once highly touted a couple of years ago, inconsistencies caused stock to drop, especially after a disappointing summer campaign in 2019.
Delivery & Mechanics: Norris seems to work exclusively from the stretch, pitching from the third base side of the rubber with a high leg kick. Norris has a high three-quarters arm slot, with release heights around six and a half feet. He does struggle to repeat his delivery at times and has subpar extension.
Fastball: Before being plagued by "prospect fatigue" at Green Hope High School, Norris touched 94 MPH, but began sitting 87-91 MPH in his junior year. He turned it around in 2020, sitting 90-94 MPH and touching 96 MPH before the coronavirus ended his senior year. At instructs, the velocity stayed, as the fastball averaged just under 94 MPH. Norris showcases above-average spin rates, averaging just above 2,300 RPM with the fastball. There is some late run to the pitch, which is also accompanied by nearly 21 inches of vertical break. The main question will be if Norris can continue sitting where he is now, but certainly a plus pitch presently. Grade: 60
Curveball: Potentially Norris' best off-speed offering. Pitch sits in the low-80's with 12-to-6 movement and high spin, sitting around the 2,400-2,450 RPM range. Comes from a slightly higher release point than the rest of his arsenal at 6.6 feet. According to scouts who saw Norris prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, the pitch became more of a plus offering with the return of prior velocity. Grade: 60
Slider: A sharp breaking offering that sits that averaged 86 MPH at instructs. It's a high spin breaker, with spin rates averaging 2,500 RPM with good depth. Can get a bit inconsistent, but when Norris is in the zone, it has the potential of a plus pitch. As of now, it's above-average. Grade: 55
Changeup: Newly developed offering that sits in the high-80's with suboptimal velocity separation from fastball. Low-spin offering with less than 1,400 RPM and some fade to the pitch. However, there is a lack of feel currently. Will need improved command and feel, likely to be a fringe-average offering. Grade: 45
Control and Command: The tool that holds Norris back. At Green Hope, Norris struggled to find the strike zone and the command of his arsenal was suboptimal. Will need to drastically improve both if he wishes to continue being a starter at the big league level. However, he has shown better command with Arizona. Control: 40 | Command: 30
Overall: Norris has the stuff to find his way into the rotation, but the lack of control and command is what ultimately hurts him. It's also hard to tell if the return of velocity will stick, as he's only been viewed in short stints in 2020. He has the potential to be a backend starter, but as of right now, he's likely a relief arm with a chance to spot start.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Spot Starter/Long Relief & Low Leverage Relief
Risk: Extreme
