#36 Derek Norris – Nationals

C

DOB: 2-14-89

ETA: 2012

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The Seattle Mariners signed 16-year old Alex Liddi as a non-drafted free agent in September, 2005.  Hailing from Italy, Liddi was the first Italian-born position player to play in the United States and now, at 22, has a shot at cracking the Mariners’ 2011 line-up.

In his first professional season, Liddi posted slashes of .291/.329/.450 with 14 doubles, six triples, and three home runs, and 27 RBI while splitting time between the Peoria Mariners and Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.  While playing for Peoria, Liddi hit safely in 34 of 47 games, recorded eight three-hit games, and had an eight game hitting streak.

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In 2010, Starlin Castro finished 10^th in the National League with a .300 batting average while playing in 125 games for the Chicago Cubs.  Yet, what made the feat even more impressive was the fact the rookie shortstop did it as a 20-year old.

Ranked by Baseball America as the 16^th best prospect in baseball headed into the 2010 season, Castro was called up by the Cubs on May 7 after posting slashes of .376/.421/.569 in 26 games at Double-A Tennessee.  In his first Major League game, not only did Castro crack a three run, opposite field homer in his first at-bat, but he also ripped a bases clearing triple to notch six RBI in his MLB Debut.

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• On Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves declined to offer arbitration to both Troy Glaus and Derrek Lee, indicating that prospect Freddie Freeman will get the nod at first base in 2011.

• Last week the Florida Marlins traded Dan Uggla to the Atlanta Braves for infielder Omar Infante and relief pitcher Mike Dunn.   Two of our writers, Griff and Dee, actually played with and against him in high school.  Marlin Maniac offers a scouting report and projection for the left-hander.

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In his first televised professional at-bat, 18-year old Bryce Harper ripped an RBI single to put the Scottsdale Scorpions ahead 2-1, in the Arizona Fall League Championship.  Harper came to the plate in the bottom of the second inning with one out and Diamondbacks outfielder Marc Krauss on second base.  Harper got straight to business, ripping Kyle Greenwalt’s first pitch fastball past an outstretched Jose Iglesias at shortstop.

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