Derek Russell Norris (born February 14, 1989) is an American former professional

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...

catcher Catcher is a Baseball positions, position in baseball and softball. When a Batter (baseball), batter takes their at bat, turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home plate, home) Umpire (baseball), umpire, and recei ...

. He played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

San Diego Padres The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...

, and

Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. Since its inception ...

. Prior to playing professionally, Norris attended Goddard High School. After signing and spending a few seasons in the

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...

' minor-league system, he was traded to the

at the end of the 2011 season. He made his MLB debut in 2012 for the Athletics before making his sole All-Star appearance two seasons later. The Athletics traded Norris to the

at the end of the season. He spent two seasons with the Padres, reaching career high statistics in runs, RBI, and

home run In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...

s in 2015. The Nationals acquired Norris at the end of the 2016 season. Norris was granted

free agency In professional sports, a free agent is a player who is eligible to sign with other clubs or franchises; i.e., not under contract to any specific team. The term is also used in reference to a player who is under contract at present but who is ...

by the Nationals with the

signing him. He was

designated for assignment Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must within seven days, return the pla ...

midway through the 2017 season, and after being released, he was suspended for the rest of the season due to

domestic violence Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner ...

allegations. Norris signed a minor-league contract with the

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...

after the end of the 2017 season before being released a few months later. In April 2018, he signed with the

Sugar Land Skeeters The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metr ...

, a minor-league team for the

Houston Astros The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...

. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

Background

Norris graduated from Goddard High School in

Goddard, Kansas Goddard is a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States, and a suburb of Wichita. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 5,084. History In 1883, Ezekiel Wilder purchased farmland on the planned railway of the Atchison, T ...

in 2007. At Goddard High, Norris played

third base A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the scoring system us ...

before transitioning to

, and also won a Class 6A Championship title.

RISE Magazine ''ESPN HS'' was a high school sports magazine published monthly during the school year in 25 markets around the United States. Founded as ''SchoolSports'' magazine in 1997, the publication changed its name to ''RISE'' in 2006 and was purchased ...

named Norris its 2006–2007 Kansas Baseball Player of the Year. He committed to attend

Wichita State University Wichita State University (WSU) is a public research university in Wichita, Kansas, United States. It is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents. The university offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 200 areas of study in ...

on a baseball scholarship.

Professional career

Minor League Baseball

The

selected Norris in the fourth round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft. Derek Norris on March 12, 2011

Norris spent the 2007 season with the

GCL Nationals The Florida Complex League Nationals are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Washington Nationals, competing in the Florida Complex League of Minor League Baseball. Prior to the 2021 season, the team was known as the Gulf Coast League Nationals. The ...

, Washington's affiliate in the

rookie A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year). In contrast with a veteran who has experience and expertise, a rookie is usually inexperienced ...

-level

Gulf Coast League The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the lo ...

. He played for the

Vermont Lake Monsters The Vermont Lake Monsters are a collegiate summer baseball team located in Burlington, Vermont. From 1994 to 2020, they were members of Minor League Baseball's New York–Penn League (NYPL). They play their home games at Centennial Field, on ...

of the

New York–Penn League The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...

in 2008, the

Hagerstown Suns The Hagerstown Suns were a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland. They were a member of the South Atlantic League and, from 2007 through 2020, were the Class A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. They played their home ga ...

of the Class-A

South Atlantic League The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...

in 2009, the

Potomac Nationals The Potomac Nationals were a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League. They were located in Woodbridge, Virginia, and played their home games at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. After the 2019 season, the team relocated to Fr ...

of the Class-A Advanced

Carolina League The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...

in 2010, and the

Harrisburg Senators The Harrisburg Senators are a Minor League Baseball team of the Eastern League, and the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who play their home games at FNB Field on City Island, which opened in 1987 a ...

of the Class-AA Eastern League in 2011. ''

Baseball America ''Baseball America'' is a sports enterprise that covers baseball at every level, including MLB, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in the MiLB, college, high school, and international leagues. It is currently published in the form o ...

'' rated Norris the 38th best prospect in baseball prior to the 2010 season and the 72nd best prospect in baseball prior to the 2011 season. He was also chosen as the Nationals' second best prospect prior to the 2011 season.

Oakland Athletics

On December 23, 2011, the Nationals traded Norris,

A. J. Cole Andrew Jordan Cole (born January 5, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Toronto Blue Jays, ...

Tommy Milone Tomaso Anthony Milone ( ; born February 16, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Seattle Mariners organization. He has previously played in MLB for the Washington Nationals, Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewe ...

, and

Brad Peacock Bradley Joseph Peacock (born February 2, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, and Boston Red Sox. Listed at and , he th ...

to the

for

Gio González Giovany Aramis González (born September 19, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago White Sox. A two- ...

and Robert Gilliam. Norris made his MLB debut for the Athletics on June 21, 2012. He was called up to be a backup catcher behind offensively struggling catcher

Kurt Suzuki Kurtis Kiyoshi Suzuki (born October 4, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, and Los Angeles Angels. ...

. He went 0 for 3, but made a key defensive play in the ninth inning throwing out Dodgers

Dee Gordon Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon (born April 22, 1988) is an American professional baseball second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder who is currently a free agent. He has played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Mar ...

attempting to steal second base. On June 24, 2012, the Athletics were trailing 1–2 against the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...

when Norris hit his first career

, and first career

walk-off home run In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. For a home run to end the game, it must be hit in the bottom of the final inning of the game and generate enough runs to exceed the opponent's score. Because the opponent will no ...

. The three-run home run helped the Athletics defeat the Giants, 4–2. When Suzuki was traded to the Washington Nationals on August 3, Norris became the primary catcher for the team, backed up by the newly acquired George Kottaras. Norris finished the 2012 season batting a

slash line S sabermetrics :Sabermetrics is the analysis of baseball through objective evidence, especially baseball statistics. The term is derived from the SABR – the Society for American Baseball Research. The term was coined by Bill James, an ...

of .201/.276/.349, with 7 home runs across 209

at bat In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a batt ...

s and 53 starts at catcher. In 2013, Norris was the primary catcher in a catching platoon, backed up by left-handed hitters

John Jaso John Edward Jaso (; born September 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. Jaso mostly served as a designated hitter and catcher throughout his career, but had to stop catching due to concussion issues. He played in Ma ...

and Stephen Vogt. Norris missed portions of August and September with a broken toe. He started 71 games at catcher and played in 98 games overall, hitting a slash line of .246/.345/.409 with 9 home runs and 30 RBI. Derek Norris catcher in April 2014

Norris was selected to play in the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, his first and only career appearance in an All-Star game. He hit a slash line of .270/.361/.403 with 10 home runs across 385 at-bats, while making 93 starts at catcher with John Jaso as a back-up. The Athletics would qualify for the

postseason The playoffs, play-offs, postseason or finals of a sports league are a competition played after the regular season by the top competitors to determine the league champion or a similar accolade. Depending on the league, the playoffs may be eithe ...

against the Kansas City Royals in the Wild Card game. The game lasted for 12 innings before the Athletics ultimately fell to the Royals, 8–9.

San Diego Padres

On December 18, 2014, the Athletics traded Norris and Seth Streich to the

in exchange for R. J. Alvarez and

Jesse Hahn Jesse Allen Hahn (born July 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals. The Tampa Bay Rays selecte ...

. Norris played in a career high 147 games in

2015 File:2015 Events Collage new.png, From top left, clockwise: Civil service in remembrance of November 2015 Paris attacks; Germanwings Flight 9525 was purposely crashed into the French Alps; the rubble of residences in Kathmandu following the Apri ...

, including 116 starts at catcher and 15 starts at first base. Despite moving to the National League, Norris racked up career highs in runs, RBIs, and home runs, and batted .250/.305/.404. Defensively, he threw out 34% of would-be base stealers and his pitch-framing was reported to be much improved from previous years. In 2016, Norris struggled at the plate, posting a .186(career low)/.255/.328 slash line. Norris finished the season with 14 home runs, tying a career high, and 42 RBI. Defensively, baserunners stole a league-leading 76 bases against him. Despite the Padres pushing to trade Norris at the July 31 deadline, Norris remained with the team.

Washington Nationals (second stint)

On December 2, 2016, the

acquired Norris from the Padres in exchange for Pedro Avila. Norris and the Nationals avoided arbitration over the winter, agreeing to a $4.2 million contract for 2017. After the team signed free agent catcher

Matt Wieters Matthew Richard Wieters (; born May 21, 1986) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals, and St. Louis Cardinals. Wieters played college basebal ...

, the Nationals reportedly attempted to trade Norris but were unable to find a taker. The Nationals granted Norris his unconditional release on March 15, 2017, rendering him a free agent eligible to sign with any team and allowing the team to pay only one-sixth of Norris' 2017 salary.

Tampa Bay Rays

On March 25, 2017, Norris signed a one-year contract with the

. He was

on June 23, 2017 and released two days later. In 2017 he batted .201/.258/.380 with 9 home runs. On September 1, 2017, Norris was suspended for the remainder of the 2017 season for violating MLB's personal conduct policy, regarding a

case against his former fiancée. In an Instagram post, his former fiancée stated that Norris verbally and physically abused her and assaulted her in 2015. Norris denied the allegations and there was an investigation by MLB. He did not appeal his suspension, and forfeited the remaining $100,000 that was owed to him by the Rays.

Detroit Tigers

On December 5, 2017, Norris signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. He was released on March 28, 2018.

Sugar Land Skeeters

On April 14, 2018, Norris signed with the

of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 2018 he batted .256/.379/.402 with 12 home runs and 57 RBIs in 410 at bats. He became a free agent following the 2018 season.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Norris, Derek 1989 births Living people Oakland Athletics players San Diego Padres players Tampa Bay Rays players Gulf Coast Nationals players Vermont Lake Monsters players Hagerstown Suns players Potomac Nationals players Harrisburg Senators players Sacramento River Cats players Major League Baseball catchers Baseball players from Kansas People from Goddard, Kansas Scottsdale Scorpions players Sugar Land Skeeters players American League All-Stars