Derek Norris

35-Year-Old CatcherC

Free Agent

2024 Stats

AVG

.000

RBI

Rest-of-Season Projections

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RBI

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2024 Fantasy Outlook

There was no outlook written for Derek Norris in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.

Bats R

Throws R

40 Man No

Height 6'0"

Weight 235

DOB 2/14/1989

Born Goddard, KS

College None

Drafted 4th Rd 2007 WAS

Heads to independent league

CFree Agent

April 16, 2018

Norris signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League on Monday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.

ANALYSIS
Norris was in camp with the Tigers this spring but was released after failing to make the team. The 29-year-old has a career .230/.304/.380 line over six major-league seasons.

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2017

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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers

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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Derek Norris See More

FanDuel MLB: Sunday Value Plays

September 23, 2018

Chris Bennett urges you to avoid Carlos Rodon on Sunday, as he's pitched poorly of late and faces a tough Cubs' lineup.

DFS Baseball 101: $2,000 Hitter Strategy

July 26, 2017

Michael Rathburn details how to approach minimum salary hitters on FanDuel and points out potential values like Tampa Bay outfielder Mallex Smith.

AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

June 25, 2017

Erik Siegrist checks out the available talent in the American League free-agent pool and finds some high-profile left-handed pitchers set to make their returns, including Carlos Rodon.

AL FAAB Factor: Waiver Pickups of the Week

June 18, 2017

Erik Siegrist looks over the free agent pool in the American League and notes a number of veteran pitchers poised to come off the DL and help your roster, including Hisashi Iwakuma.

Yahoo DFS Baseball: Friday Picks

June 16, 2017

Taking a look at Friday's slate of games, Chris Bennett likes Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez, who offers both consistency and potential, against Kevin Gausman on the road.

Past Fantasy Outlooks

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010

Tepid interest from other clubs at the trade deadline kept Norris in San Diego during the second half of 2016, as his .186/.255/.328 line was easily the worst he's produced since becoming a big league player in 2012 with the A's. Defensively, he's become a steady option behind the dish, but his struggles last season included a career-high 30.3 percent strikeout rate and the second consecutive season with a walk rate (7.9 percent BB%) below his career norm (9.2 percent). Two injuries may have contributed to his struggles -- the first was a hand contusion suffered after he was hit by a pitch in May, and the second was a left elbow injury sustained after he was struck by a bat while catching in early July -- and the only semblance of typical production came in between those ailments when he hit .273/.318/.506 with five of his 14 home runs in June. The Padres dealt Norris to Washington in the offseason, although he'll have to settle for a backup catching gig as long as Matt Wieters is healthy.

Norris spent the 2015 season as the Padres' starting catcher and also spent time getting experience at first base. After an All-Star season in Oakland in 2014, Norris had a similar year statistically in his first season in San Diego. His strikeout numbers are high, but less so for a catcher, making him a reliable everyday option. The 27-year-old will start at catcher again this year, and the transition to playing some first base will give him more opportunities and should lead to increased production.

Norris had a very solid 2014 campaign, upping his batting average from .246 to .270 while also contributing 10 homers. He appeared to tire down the stretch and it is possible that his heavy workload behind the plate down the stretch, necessitated by injuries to other Oakland backstops, affected him as the season went on. After earning an All-Star bid with an exceptional .874 OPS and eight homers in the first half, Norris only managed two homers after the break, with a .659 OPS over his final 188 at-bats. Following a December trade to the Padres, Norris is in line to take on a true starter role next season, though his power numbers may take a hit and it's fair to wonder how he'll hold up to a full year of everyday duty.

After a first-half where Norris hit. 208, Norris salvaged his season with a .333 average and a .400 OBP in 81 at-bats after the All-Star break. Norris had intense struggles against righties, hitting only .149 and going without a home run in 114 at-bats against them, compared to a .320 average and nine home runs against lefties. Norris' .580 slugging percentage against lefties ranked fourth in the American League. These splits will certainly limit Norris' at-bats, but present a nice opportunity for those in deep leagues with daily moves to use Norris at a tough position when the A's face left-handed starters.

Norris was called up in June and took over the majority of the starts at catcher from the struggling Kurt Suzuki before becoming the primary catcher after Suzuki was dealt to the Nationals. Norris showed some pop (20 homers in 334 at-bats in Double-A in 2011) in the minor leagues, but did not hit for power or average in his first stint in the majors. He seemed set to come into camp as the No. 1 catcher for the A's in 2013, but his playing time is now in doubt after Oakland acquired John Jaso. Norris' strength has historically been getting on base rather than hitting for average, which may limit his value in many formats.

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.

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.

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.

More Fantasy News

Cut loose by Tigers

CFree Agent

March 28, 2018

Norris was released by the Tigers on Wednesday, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.