James Norwood - Scouting Report


Rank History
Year Team Position Team Rank OFP
2021 CHC RHP 43 35

Grades Update: Nov 2020
OFP Role FB SL SPL Cmd/Cnt
35 30 70 45 40 40/40

Nov 2020 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 27 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2014 Draft - Round 7
RuleV: On 40 man

Physical Description: 6'2" 215. Muscular, durable build.

Delivery & Mechanics: Exclusively from the stretch. Comes set at the letters. Big leg kick before coming home. High effort delivery.

Fastball: High velocity with significant arm side run. Double plus grade due to movement and velocity traits. Sits in the high 90s, can touch 100. Has averaged 97 during his MLB stints. Grade: 70

Slider: The better of the two secondaries, but still a fringe offering. Has good two-plane depth but command is inconsistent. Grade: 45

Splitter: Has had difficulty with commanding the pitch. Sits in the high 80's, and has averaged 88 during his MLB time. Went to the pitch more than the slider in 2020. Grade: 40

Control and Command: With average command of the slider and control overall Norwood immediately jumps to a late inning relief arm. As is, he is destined for lower leverage work due to below average command and control. Will pull slider gloveside and miss up with fastball often. Control: 40 | Command: 40

Overall: One monster double-plus pitch paired with two below-average offerings and below average command and control isn't the most exciting profile but it's one that will continue to get opportunities. Norwood did go on the IL late in the season with a shoulder injury so that is something to monitor.

OFP: 35
Role: 30 - Up/Down Emergency Depth
Risk: Moderate