Daniel Norris is the latest Toronto Blue Jays pitching prospect to graduate to the big-leagues this season after becoming one of the club's September call-ups, multiple industry sources told Sportsnet.
Daniel. who was number 3 on our top prospects list, has had a very interesting year. He started the season in Dunedin, went 6-0 with a 1.22 ERA in 13 starts and got moved up to New Hampshire. There he went 3-1 with a 4.54 ERA in 8 starts. Next came Buffalo, 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA in 5 games, 4 starts. And, tomorrow, he's in the big leagues.
In total Norris has thrown 124.2 minor league innings, allowed 96 hits, walked 43 and struck out 163.
I'd imagine Norris will be used out of the pen, though it might not hurt to give Drew Hutchison or Marcus Stroman a rest once through the rotation this month. Both have thrown a lot of innings.
The team seem to have a whole new minor league philosophy. In the past we've been giving players a full season at each level. This year, the top prospects are moving up quickly. It is a lot more fun for those of us that like to see the young players. Norris turned 21 in April, so he will beat out Aaron Sanchez for the youngest play on the Blue Jays roster.
Shi also tells us that Kendall Graveman is being considered for a call up, along with Sean Nolin. Anthony Gose , Ryan Goins and Dan Johnson will be coming up too. And John Mayberry, Jr will join the team tomorrow, so there will be a number of extra bodies for John Gibbons to use. And Brandon Morrow will likely be joining the team sometime soon too.
Davidi didn't mention any catchers coming up. I figured we'd see George Kottaras or, if they didn't want to free up a roster spot for Kottaras, A.J. Jimenez so that Gibby would have more freedom to pinch run for a catcher. We'll see tomorrow.
Congratulations Daniel, I hope your stay is a long one.