Top 10 MLB breakout candidates in 2017

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Sep 12, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Daniel Norris (44) walks off the field against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Daniel Norris

The free-spirited Daniel Norris has been one of the more interesting prospects in baseball for the past three seasons. He was coming off a fine rookie season in 2015 when thyroid cancer threatened to derail his career. Norris fought off the disease, and had his best year in the big leagues in 2016.

Last year, Norris went 4-2 in 14 appearances with a 3.38 ERA. He does not throw exceptionally hard, but his fastball has good late life, which allows him to generate a high number of swings and misses. He also throws a slider, curveball, and changeup, with all three generating good results so far in the big leagues. Norris significantly improved his strikeout rate last season, up to 9.2 per nine from 6.8 in 2015.

After some fits and starts to begin his career, Norris will break camp with Detroit this year, and is a big key to the Tigers returning to the playoffs. Along with a resurgent Justin Verlander and the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year, Michael Fulmer, Detroit will have a formidable top three to their rotation. Norris is much more than a funky guy who lives in a van during the offseason. He has the potential to head a rotation, and that will show in 2017.

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