Catchers in Minors

Derek Norris Was, .235avg 12HR 49RBI 298Ab 89BB .419OBP 6SB

Norris was acquired by the Heroes in the Prince Fielder trade, the BA #38 prospect in all the minors will hopefully become the catcher of the future.

What was said:

Sickels Preseason comments: Grade B+: "Somewhere on the Mickey Tettleton/Mike Napoli spectrum: high walks, lots of power, defense should be good enough, might not hit for average".

Sickels post 2010 comments: Grade B+: "71 games for High-A Potomac. Still drawing tons of walks, has thrown out 52% of runners. I still believe".

Klaw: Typical recovery time for power after a hamate injury is 12-18 months. I'm not saying Norris' WILL come back, but that we don't know anything about it right now. I would bet on a full recovery, but we can't look at the stats now and say "oh, he's toast."

Minor League Ball: "I know the power is lacking, but we're talking about a guy coming off a hamate bone injury. Given his reportedly improving defense and the fact that he's putting up a .411 OBP in a supposedly awful offensive season, there are a lot of reasons to be optimistic about Norris. He could be a star if his glove is good enough."

Christian Bethancourt Atl, .251 3HR 34RBI 11SB

Picked 32nd overall in the 2010 CPL draft as to this point has not lived up to that so far. Bad May and June, picked it up Aug, but not enough. Great defence and still very young only 18 playing full season A ball.

Sickels preseason Grade B-: "Grade includes a lot of projection."

Sickels post season Grade B-: .257/.285/.346 for Rome. Not much power, has drawn just 11 walks. Not liking the bat at this point but he's only 18, still has time to grow, and his strikeout rate is low.