Washington Nationals' Prospects Derek Norris, Bryce Harper To Appear In AFL Rising Stars Game Saturday.

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 1, 2011 5:07 PM EDT

The Arizona Fall League announced the rosters for this Saturday's Rising Stars Game this afternoon. In the game, which will be broadcast live on the MLB Network and MLB.tv starting at 8:10 pm in the East, 5:10 pm in Arizona, Nats fans will get another opportunity to see the top catching prospect in the organization, 22-year-old Derek Norris, as well as 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper, the top prospect overall in the Nationals' system and the no.1 overall pick of the 2010 Draft. Norris, along with Houston Astros' backstop Jason Castro, will serve as the catchers for the East division's Rising Stars' squad. Harper will be in the East's outfield.

@MLBazFallLeague:

"East catchers: #Astros Jason Castro, #Nationals Derek Norris #AFLRisingStars"

"East outfielders: #Orioles Xavier Avery, #Pirates Robbie Grossman, #Nationals Bryce Harper #AFLRisingStars"

Harper, who turned 19 in October, finished his first pro season with 24 doubles, 17 HR's, 26 stolen bases and a .297/.392/.501 slash in 109 games and 452 plate appearances between Class-A Hagerstown and Double-A Harrisburg. Norris, an '07 4th Round pick out of Goddard High School in Goddard, Kansas, spent the entire 2011 season at Double-A Harrisburg, putting up a .210/.367/.446 slash with 17 doubles and 20 HR's. In AFL action, both hitters have caught fire. Harper's in the midst of a ten-game hit streak over which he's hit three doubles and four home runs while posting a .385/.444/.821 line that has him at .276/.348/.569 in 15 games. Norris, who has hits in eight-straight games and nine of the last ten, has a .412/.511/.647 slash, two doubles and two home runs over that stretch, and a .356/.446/.533 line overall in Arizona.

D.C. GM Mike Rizzo spoke about both players recently, telling reporters in a conference call last week that though they were concerned with Norris' AVG at Double-A in 2011, they are pleased with the development they've seen overall.

"We know [Norris] can hit," Rizzo said, "We know he's got power, he's a high on base percentage guy. He's got a short compact stroke. We know he can hit. Package that with a plus arm, and now his feet are working, he's blocking pitches and pitchers love throwing to him. That's a really exciting package for us going into next season."

As for Harper, Rizzo said, "Bryce is playing very, very well. The last six or seven games he's been on a hot streak and playing good defense. His defense has improved dramatically. His baserunning has improved dramatically. His propensity to steal bases has been terrific. He's moving great, he feels great and he's swinging the bat real well."

Nats fans get another chance to see two of the top prospects in the organization this Saturday, and see them playing against the top prospects from around the majors.

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Comments

Good thing they didn't name the squad two weeks ago

#bryceplaysthehare

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 1, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions

[MLB Network execs breathe sigh of relief]

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 1, 2011 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I thought he was a bust?

Ha, no. Thankfully that kind of talk wasn’t coming from here, but the internet is filled with those people.

I really hope Norris can step his game up for an extended amount of time. He can either turn out to be a great trade chip or a pretty good 1b. Morse at left, Harper at right/center and Norris at first would up our team’s OBP and power a good amount. That would be pretty cool and cheap.

Skins rule

by Horcasitas4 on Nov 1, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Norris at first?

Nah. That would force Fielder to play left.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 1, 2011 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Morse back to short and Desi a utility player?

Vivian Jaffe: "Have you ever transcended space and time?"
Albert Markovski: "Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about."

by Patrick Reddington on Nov 1, 2011 6:41 PM EDT up reply actions

So, LaRoche in CF, then?

"If you ain't got the pants, you ain't got a chance." --PerryMason (on the sartorial component of being a Real Ballplayer)

by Doghouse on Nov 1, 2011 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Nah, LaRoche to RF,

Werth to CF, and Marrero to 1B, just so Rizzo can see RobBobS’ head explode.

by BinM on Nov 1, 2011 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions

That would happen

if they tack on by re-signing Livo and making him the ODS.

Rob

-- In baseball we trust.

by RobBobS on Nov 1, 2011 6:57 PM EDT up reply actions

The first part (Livo re-signing) maybe,

but the 2nd part, never again. If that happened, MY head would explode.

by BinM on Nov 1, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Cyborgs take a while to warm up even in the Arizona desert!

Fortunately, once they get started, they totally RAWK!

"player development" should not be gladiator games. by cat daddy3000 on Aug 6, 2011

by MissB on Nov 1, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions

then they should play more day games........

Scottsdale seems to always play at the late game time…

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 7:23 PM EDT up reply actions

No Mike Trout in the OF?

I’m staggered, stunned, and stupefied. Harper over Trout in an All-Star game – Stop the presses & rally the pundits / talking heads to explain this immediately! As Ralph Wiggum might succinctly say, “Ha – hah”.

by BinM on Nov 1, 2011 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

MLBazFallLeague Arizona Fall League East outfielders: #Angels Mike Trout, #Rockies Tim Wheeler #AFLRisingStars 1 hour ago

they broke up the tweets into many little messages…

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

The'll have played the game

by the time they get the rosters announced at this rate. I stand down from my 7:18 post somewhat, but still am pleased that Harper was ‘picked’ before Trout.

by BinM on Nov 1, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions

you know, Trout's the #1 Prospect...........

as always explained in the Harper chronicles.

then there’s this guy:
Nyk29 Nykki
Harper is batting .276 w/ .348 OBP, 16 hits 8 runs…36 players w/ > BA, 37 w/ > OBP & he gets picked for the #AFLRisingStars game?? #dumb

replied:
LedeenLa La Ledeen
@Nyk29 BH Totals last 10 games: BA .385; 4 HR; 17 RBI; OBP .444; SLG .821; OPS 1.265. Can’t find many OF to beat that.

"...because I spent years as the only Expos fan I knew..." -P.R., Oct. 2011...+1

by cat daddy3000 on Nov 1, 2011 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Hence my call for pundit reactions

Trout is #1, Harper is #2 on most prospect lists. The mere thought that THREE outfielders (including Harper) would be named to an All-Star team ahead of Trout is an affront to the collective wisdom and samethink of said pundits. They might have some ’splaining to do.

Again, I quote Wiggum the younger… “Ha – hah”.

by BinM on Nov 1, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions