Scouting Report RHP Bud Norris

The 25-year old Norris is barely 6'0" and has been described as "chunky". He was drafted in the 6th round of the 2006 draft and made a great debut last year for Astros, going 6-3 in 10 starts, and striking out 54 in 55 2/3 innings. His last four starts in September, he allowed 4 runs in 23 innings, while striking out 24 and only walking 6. He has not faced the Mets in his 28 career starts.

Norris works quickly, and despite his diminutive size, he can get his fastball up to 96 mph; it averages 94 mph and he adds and subtracts on his fastball frequently (89-96 mph), also changing his arm angle. He throws his slider 36% of the time (87 with good tilt) and a fringe change-up (86 mph 10% of the time). He throws his slider > 45% of the time with two strikes, and it's his best pitch. He threw a plus curve in the minors, but it has been replaced by the slider. He also has a good pick-off move.

This year Norris is 5-7 in 18 starts (99 2/3 innings), with a 5.42 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. He gets a ton of swing and misses (11.3%), but he also only throws strikes 45% of the time, resulting in a high walk rate (3.9 W/9). He is striking out 9.7 per 9. He's a fly-ball pitcher and has been prone to the long ball (13 in 99 innings). His BAPIP is due to regress to the mean (.350), and he has a low strand rate (62%), so if FIP is a lot better than his ERA (4.06). He's won his last 3 decisions, and has gone 6+ innings the past 5 starts. He was great in his last start versus the Pirates, getting the win after throwing 7 innings, allowing 2 runs, while striking out 14.

He's ranked #2 in the Astros 25 and under talent pool, but that's not saying much. He is a middle of the rotation starter that may be destined to the bullpen if his body can't handle the stresses of starting every 5th day (elbow trouble sidelined him in 2008).