Bud Norris, Pitcher


Date of Birth: 3/2/1985
Birthplace: Greenbrae, California
College: California Polytechnic State University

Bud Norris, pitcher, was first drafted in 2006 by the Houston Astros. He played in the Astros' minor league system from 2006 through part of 2010, having his best season in 2009. That year, he won the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year award, finishing the season with a 4-9 record and a 2.62 ERA.

Norris joined the Astros for 11 games in 2009. The next year, he pitched 153.2 innings in 27 games and he finished the 2010 season with a 9-10 record and a 4.92 ERA.

Norris had his best season in 2011 when he had a career low ERA of 3.77. That year, he pitched a career high 186.0 innings in 31 games and he had a 6-11 record with a career high 176 strikeouts (to 70 walks).

In January, 2013, Norris signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Astros. After 21 games with the Astros in 2013, they traded him to the Baltimore Orioles. He finished the season with a career high 10 wins to 12 losses and a 4.18 ERA.

Norris finished the 2014 season with a 15-8 record, 139 strikeouts to 52 walks, and a 3.65 ERA in 165.1 innings in 28 games. He pitched 10.2 innings in two games in the postseason, giving up 11 hits, 4 runs, and 1 home run.

Norris and the Orioles agreed to a one-year, $8.8 million contract on January 26, 2015. After 18 games with the Orioles, they released him on August 8, 2015. Three days later, he signed with the San Diego Padres. As both a starting pitcher and a relief pitcher in 2015, he had a 3-11 record, 71 strikeouts to 31 walks, and a 6.72 ERA in 83.0 innings in 18 games with the Orioles and 20 games with the Padres.

Norris signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Atlanta Braves on November 25, 2015. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 30, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with a 5.10 ERA, 6 wins to 10 losses, and 102 strikeouts to 49 walks in 22 games with the Braves and 13 games with the Dodgers. He pitched out of both teams starting rotations and their bullpens. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Norris was released by the Dodgers on September 28, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on January 30, 2017. He pitched primarily as a reliever in 2017, pitching from the starting rotation in just 3 games and from the bullpen in 57 games. He finished the season with a 4.21 ERA, 2 wins to 6 losses, 19 saves, and 74 strikeouts to 27 walks in 62.0 innings.

Norris elected free agency on November 2, 2017. He signed with the St. Louis Cardinals on February 14, 2018. He finished the 2018 season with 3 wins and 6 losses, 28 saves, 67 strikeouts to 21 walks, and a 3.59 ERA in 57.2 innings in 64 games as a relief pitcher.

Norris became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on March 7, 2019. He was released a month later on April 2nd. He didn't play professional baseball in 2019.

Norris signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on January 22, 2020. He was released on July 16, 2020. He didn't play professional baseball in 2020.

Norris played in the independent American Association in 2021.

Career pitching statistics for Norris through 2018 include:

  • 355 games played
  • 1,221.1 innings pitched
  • 67-90 win-loss record
  • 47 saves
  • 1,153 strikeouts to 485 walks
  • 4.45 ERA

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Bud Norris
ESPN - Bud Norris