Major League Baseball

Padres' Norris eager to make statement in matchup with A's

Published Jun. 15, 2015 9:51 p.m. ET

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San Diego Padres catcher Derek Norris is ready to show the Oakland Athletics what they've been missing, and he's hoping to do so during the four games between the two clubs this week. 

Norris was one of the players dealt during general manager Billy Beane's off-season re-sculpting of his roster (in exchange for Monday's starter Jesse Hahn), and as he told Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area, he's enjoying his new job in San Diego: “I’m in a good spot. Obviously my playing time’s increased quite a bit from previous years. I feel like I’m making the most of my opportunities. (The trade) just motivated me to get in the weight room, get in the video room and make some adjustments and come into the season ready.”

Stiglich points to Norris' progress behind the plate as a sign of his dedication to improving his game: Norris only threw out 17 percent of would-be base-stealers in 2014, but he has increased that to 35 percent (23 of 65) so far in 2015. 

With the A's in town for two games at Petco Park before the series moves to Oakland, Norris told Stiglich he's ready to put on a show for his former employers: “Nothing against them or any hard feelings, it’s just that competitive nature. You used to be there, they traded you off, and you wanna prove to them, this is what you’re missing.”

(h/t CSN Bay Area)

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