Derek Norris

After transitioning from third base to catcher at Goddard High School, Derek Norris was named the Gatorade and RISE Magazine Kansas High School Player of the Year in 2007. Norris had committed to play at Wichita State, but instead signed with the Washington Nationals after being drafted in the fourth round.

In December of 2011, Norris was traded to Oakland in a deal that brought pitcher Gio Gonzalez to Washington.  The next spring, Norris made his debut with the A’s, appearing in 60 games.  In 2014, he hit .270 and was named to the American League All-Star team.  In the All-Star game, played in Minnesota, Norris singled and was driven home by Mike Trout in the AL’s 5-3 win.

Following the 2014 season, Norris was traded to San Diego.  As the Padres regular catcher in 2015, he hit .250 but slumped the next season.  He appeared in 53 games for Tampa Bay in 2017.

In 2018, Norris hit .256 with 12 home runs for the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.