Anthony Norman

ANTHONY NORMAN	CORNER OUTFIELDER
	Born: October 20, 1984 Height: 6′ 0″ Weight: 185 Bats: Left Throws: Left College: UCLA Signed: Amateur FA, Los Angeles Angels, 2007 How Acquired: Amateur FA Agent: N/A

WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES

Norman was undrafted out of UCLA (where he majored in philosophy and economics), but signed with the Angels and played fairly well for them. Just the same, they released him after a little over two years and he went to independent ball. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2010. He takes a big cut at the plate, but manages to hit for decent power and get on base at a pretty good rate. He has decent speed, but played left almost exclusively with the Angels. He’s played all the outfield positions with the Pirates.

2007
R: 362/440/500, 174 AB, 4 2B, 10 3B, 19 BB, 19 K, 12-13 SB

Norman was old for rookie ball and it showed, as he had big hitting numbers and stole bases easily. He had an interesting power line, with ten of his 14 extra base hits going for three bases.

2008
A: 333/333/333, 3 AB
A+: 257/381/468, 374 AB, 16 2B, 9 3B, 15 HR, 66 BB, 76 K, 36-42 SB

The Angels moved Norman up to high A and he had a strong season, showing good power, very good on-base ability, and excellent base stealing skills. Although he was in the hitting-happy California League, the Angels’ Rancho Cucamonga affiliate plays in a pitcher’s park.

2009
A+: 238/326/438, 80 AB, 4 2B, 3 3B, 2 HR, 7 BB, 15 K
IND: 264/351/396, 144 AB, 11 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 18 BB, 20 K, 5-10 SB

Went back to high A and got off to decent start before the Angels released him. From there Norman went to independent ball.

2010
A+: 200/556/200, 5 AB, 1 AB
AA: 220/336/346, 191 AB, 8 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 29 BB, 49 K, 4-6 SB

After signing with the Pirates, Norman opened season in extended spring training, but eventually spent most of the year with Altoona. He played sparingly for a while, but became the primary centerfielder when Gorkys Hernandez missed the final six weeks with a broken finger. Norman drew a lot of walks, but otherwise didn’t hit much.

2011
AA: 282/346/437, 71 AB, 3 2B, 4 3B, 7 BB, 16 K, 2-3 SB
AAA: 235/250/324, 34 AB, 3 2B, 1 BB, 12 K, 1-1 SB

Norman again opened the season in extended spring training and this time didn’t make an appearance until June. He got into only 29 games with Altoona and 11 with Indianapolis.

Norman was not eligible for minor league free agency and returned in 2012. He opened the season yet again in extended spring training, but could appear in AA or AAA if a need arises.

STATS

Baseball Reference–Minors
Fangraphs
MiLB.com

CONTRACT INFORMATION

2012: Minor League Contract

PLAYER INFORMATION

Signing Bonus: N/A
MiLB Debut: 2007
MLB Debut: N/A
MiLB FA Eligible: 2013
MLB FA Eligible: N/A
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Added to 40-Man: N/A
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000

TRANSACTIONS

January 22, 2007: Signed by the Anaheim Angels as an amateur free agent.
May 28, 2009: Released by the Anahaim Angels.
February 2, 2010: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates from the independent St. Paul Saints.