Nice little paragraph on your friend and mine, Bud Norris:
**Bud Norris posted a 4.05 ERA with an 84/31 K/BB in 80 innings for Double-A Corpus Christi last year, with 89 hits allowed, his innings limited by a sore elbow. He converted to relief in the Arizona Fall League and was terrific, giving rise to the thought that he would be a full-time reliever. He's always had two good pitches (90-95 MPH fastball, good hard breaking ball), but his command was sometimes wobbly and his changeup was below average. The Astros went against winter rumors, however, leaving Norris in the starting rotation for Triple-A Round Rock this year, with excellent results: 2.63 ERA, 112/53 K/BB in 120 innings over 19 starts, 104 hits allowed. The walk rate is still higher than ideal, but his K/IP and H/IP are strong for context, and keeping your ERA below 4.00 in the PCL ain't easy. Scouting reports indicate he's made some progress with the changeup, while continuing to impress with the fastball and breaking ball. He deserves a lot more attention than he's received thus far.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
