(*) FACTS/FLUKES: Norris, Billingsley, Upton, LaRoche, Pomeranz

Norris continuing pattern of steady growth... At BaseballHQ.com, we often remind readers that young players frequently don't develop at a linear rate. Bud Norris (RHP, HOU) may be the exception:

Year    IP   ERA   WHIP   xERA   H%   S%  Ctl  Dom  Cmd  hr/f  BPV
====   ===  ====   ====   ====  ===  ===  ===  ===  ===  ====  ===
2010   154  4.92   1.48   4.14  33%  69%  4.5  9.3  2.1   11%   66
2011   186  3.77   1.33   3.68  31%  76%  3.4  8.5  2.5   12%   80
2012*   50  3.58   1.21   3.38  30%  75%  2.7  8.9  3.3   11%  109
* - thru 5/20

Norris has done a nice job of covering up his weaknesses as he has gained experience:

• Improvements in his Ctl since his rookie year have driven most of his year-over-year improvement, as he has...

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