10 best prospects moved at the MLB Trade Deadline
![Aug 2, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports Aug 2, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) pitches during the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/c476cc661aa4da5d97a5980c09eec28f87f2be8e3cca6b2d18999dda5c941f8a.jpg)
Daniel Norris, LHP, Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have to be thrilled with trading two months of Price for the 22-year-old Norris, who has the potential to be a strong starter for years to come.
After being selected in the second round of the 2014 draft by Toronto, Norris posted rather underwhelming numbers for the next year and a half. It wasn’t until 2014 when Norris had a meteoric rise though the Blue Jays’ system, as well as prospect rankings.
Norris moved all the way from High-A to the major leagues in 2014, posting a 2.53 ERA and 2.57 FIP overall in the minors per FanGraphs.com. The most encouraging sign was a sudden spike in strikeouts, as Norris posted a K/9 rate in the double-digits at every minor league stop, including a ridiculous strikeout rate of 44.7 percent in 22.2 innings of Triple-A.
That earned Norris a spot in Toronto’s rotation for five games to start 2015, which didn’t go particularly well. Norris moved back to Triple-A with worse numbers across the board while working through control issues.
Still, Norris is very young and projects as a likely No. 2 starter. Norris already has four pitches that could be considered above-average at times, including a lively mid-90s fastball and an excellent curveball that sits in the mid-70s.
So far, so good in Detroit, as Norris allowed one run on four hits and one walk in 7.1 innings in Sunday’s win over the Baltimore Orioles. While Norris may not have the highest upside of any young player moved at the deadline, his combination of potential and polish makes him the most exciting prospect with a new club.
Next: Brett Phillips, OF, Milwaukee Brewers