LA Angels Instant Analysis: The New Guys

Bud Norris

After pitching for the Dodgers last season, the Angels decided to bring Bus Norris across town to join their bullpen in Anaheim. Like Petit, Norris is a guy who can throw more than a few pitches in an appearance. He has thrown 6.1 innings in 2017, allowing two runs on five hits in those appearances. He allowed those two runs against Oakland on a Rajai Davis triple. However, that allowed Danny Espinosa to hit a three-run bomb in the ninth inning to take the lead for the Angels first win of the season. So, thats a positive.

Norris threw three innings of amazing ball in the Angels comeback win against the Texas Rangers last Tuesday. After Tyler Skaggs was roughed up to start the game, Norris came in and threw three innings of one hit baseball. He struck out three batters and held the Rangers in check while the Angels mounted their five run comeback. While the offense provided fireworks to end the game, Norris was the MVP of the night.

Norris has been a starting pitcher through most of his career. However, he fares much better as a reliever. In 2016, he had a 5.02 ERA in ten games as a starter. In his 12 appearances out of the bullpen, he owned a 1.96 ERA. So while he is capable of spot starts, he is much better utilized out of the bullpen.