Bud Norris listed in Baseball Prospectus' "Breakout Prospects" list

[idlelife]

http://baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=6910

The article is subscription only. 

The pick is based on Norris' 96.2 innings pitched, 85 hits, 41/117 walk-to-strikeout ratio at Low-A last year and his hot start in Hawaii: 18.2 innings pitched, 9 hits, 28 Ks.

He's 24, drafted out of Cal Poly in 2006, and apparently has some sort of injury history.  Has a fastball that touches 94, "an improved curve," and "perhaps the system's best change-up."  He also sports a 1.48 groundball-to-flyball ratio.

Anyone know much else about him?

[Noe]

I would suspect the guys at Bus Ride have more information on him.  But 24 years old at High A ball is a bit old.  He needs to make his move up to AA and AAA soon to get noticed.

[Limey]

Bud Norris doesn't list breakout prospects; he breaks out prospects.

Eh?

Oh.

[Jacksonian]

I would suspect the guys at Bus Ride have more information on him.  But 24 years old at High A ball is a bit old.  He needs to make his move up to AA and AAA soon to get noticed.

It's as if Duman has been working his ass off over there for no reason. 

Clarks.

[HurricaneDavid]

I love the explanation of his nickname: http://www.orangewhoopass.com/forums/index.php?topic=103727.msg158390#msg158390

"He was born David, but earned the "Bud" moniker at an early age. As Norris tells it, he was 3 years old when his family went to a Mexican restaurant. Several members of the party ordered frosty beverages, and, following suit, Norris also ordered a "Bud."

Norris' mom objected, telling the nonplussed waitress that her son was clearly too young for such an order, but his dad intervened: "He's the Bud man."

[idlelife]

Sorry if my question was vague.  I've seen the information on Bud Norris in the The Bus Ride, and that's a great start (it certainly provides a lot of great information on his game to game performance).  There's also a bit of talk about him in the Talk Zone (including an extensive list of beat-them-to-the-punch, Chuck Norris jokes)

However, my question is asked in the context of the article mentioned, ie, is Bud Norris viewed this favorably by the Astros?  In one of Duman's articles there's a quote from Ricky Bennet pointing Norris out as a player with big time potential.  Is there any additional information out there on his expected future in the organization. 

My original post was also meant to point out the article itself (we don't get many props on our farm system), something I hadn't seen mentioned on the Talk Zone.  The post was meant to stir discussion of a prospect who unexpectedly appeared on an interesting list.

[Noe]

Sorry if my question was vague.  I've seen the information on Bud Norris in the The Bus Ride, and that's a great start (it certainly provides a lot of great information on his game to game performance).  There's also a bit of talk about him in the Talk Zone (including an extensive list of beat-them-to-the-punch, Chuck Norris jokes)

However, my question is asked in the context of the article mentioned, ie, is Bud Norris viewed this favorably by the Astros?  In one of Duman's articles there's a quote from Ricky Bennet pointing Norris out as a player with big time potential.  Is there any additional information out there on his expected future in the organization. 

My original post was also meant to point out the article itself (we don't get many props on our farm system), something I hadn't seen mentioned on the Talk Zone.  The post was meant to stir discussion of a prospect who unexpectedly appeared on an interesting list.

Oh, gotcha.

Well, what you have to understand is that prospects is a vague thing sometimes.  While you can look at performance numbers in A ball, the reality is that the real prospect is perhaps someone that doesn't have the numbers but is working on the skill set to become a major leaguer.  The guy with the outstanding numbers at this level perhaps is using what he does best to overpower the competition, which may or may not be as experience as he is.  If you have a plus fastball in A Ball, you will put up great numbers.  It is whether you develop the changeup, the curve or slider, the location of said fastball, the proper mechanics, the mentality on the mound, the mound presence, the economy of pitches per inning showing a mature view on being a pitcher (and not just a thrower) that makes one a prospect.

So time will tell if those numbers by Bud translate well into the other aspects of being a prospect.  I'm more excited right now about Brad James and what he may bring to the table than Norris, but certainly it is worth watching if Norris can handle the rise through the higher ranks of the minors where guys are a little harder to get out.

[Jacksonian]

Oh, gotcha.

Well, what you have to understand is that prospects is a vague thing sometimes.  While you can look at performance numbers in A ball, the reality is that the real prospect is perhaps someone that doesn't have the numbers but is working on the skill set to become a major leaguer.  The guy with the outstanding numbers at this level perhaps is using what he does best to overpower the competition, which may or may not be as experience as he is.  If you have a plus fastball in A Ball, you will put up great numbers.  It is whether you develop the changeup, the curve or slider, the location of said fastball, the proper mechanics, the mentality on the mound, the mound presence, the economy of pitches per inning showing a mature view on being a pitcher (and not just a thrower) that makes one a prospect.

So time will tell if those numbers by Bud translate well into the other aspects of being a prospect.  I'm more excited right now about Brad James and what he may bring to the table than Norris, but certainly it is worth watching if Norris can handle the rise through the higher ranks of the minors where guys are a little harder to get out.

I think I mentioned this somewhere when Bud was drafted but I'm not going to go searching all over to find it, but when Norris was drafted the Astros viewed him as a potential middle reliever with the possibility of being a late inning reliever.  Kinda like Reineke.

[Duman]

Bud is only 22 years old (3/2/85) so his age isn't as much of an issue.

He had one late season start in Salem that was strong.  He then has gone to Hawaii and done well.  I have him starting the season in CC.       

His latest start has been pushed back because of rain outs and off days so he should pitch again in the next day or so.

[Ty in Tampa]

He then has gone to Hawaii and done well.  I have him starting the season in CC.       

His latest start has been pushed back because of rain outs and off days so he should pitch again in the next day or so.

I always said they should have built a domed stadium there.

[Noe]

Bud is only 22 years old (3/2/85) so his age isn't as much of an issue.

He had one late season start in Salem that was strong.  He then has gone to Hawaii and done well.  I have him starting the season in CC.       

His latest start has been pushed back because of rain outs and off days so he should pitch again in the next day or so.

Okay, 22 is a lot different than 24 at High A Ball.  Thanks, you Bus Ride fellers shore know your bidnez.

[Duman]

Bud is only 22 years old (3/2/85) so his age isn't as much of an issue.

He had one late season start in Salem that was strong.  He then has gone to Hawaii and done well.  I have him starting the season in CC.       

His latest start has been pushed back because of rain outs and off days so he should pitch again in the next day or so.

He finally pitched again on 11/8.  Now has 31 K's in 21 2/3 innings with an ERA of 3.32

[I'm Richies Dad]

Nice, looking forward to seeing more of the "Bud" man.

[Froback]

I'm more excited right now about Brad James ...

I think this was in the Bus Ride section already, but a scout (granted just one scout) made a comment about James, and that he looked like he was pushing for better numbers in 07 (to make a statement) rather than really developing like THIS scout thought he should.

Not a reason to not watch him, as he does seem to be the "next" guy in the Astros system, but just something to consider.

[Noe]

I think this was in the Bus Ride section already, but a scout (granted just one scout) made a comment about James, and that he looked like he was pushing for better numbers in 07 (to make a statement) rather than really developing like THIS scout thought he should.

Not a reason to not watch him, as he does seem to be the "next" guy in the Astros system, but just something to consider.

Excellent.  What the upper minor leagues do is weed out those who push for numbers instead of develop, so this will be his test the coming years.

[Froback]

Excellent.  What the upper minor leagues do is weed out those who push for numbers instead of develop, so this will be his test the coming years.

Yep, MLB does have this system of development right, because this is often true.  You have to prove yourself each year as you progress.  Just as you might explode one year, you might also completely fall apart.  The hope in any system is you have a couple of guys from each draft prove out to be deserving of ML spots.  You get more, bonus, you get less, well, you get a system kindof like the Astros are in now.  It is such a crap shoot sometimes, but then that is why they draft 50+ each year.