To watch a baseball player hit is to see multiple physical gifts working together to achieve a successful outcome. Contact between a swinging bat and a pitched ball is the goal, yet those who master that ability early in their athletic ascension can move on to other levels including where to aim or direct that contact.
Watching Orioles infield prospect and 2021 draft pick Connor Norby take BP, I see someone who is already at that second level of swing despite just barely beginning his pro career. Striding into the cage confidently among a group of mashers at a recent camp, it was the slighter Norby who wielded the bat like a club and moved it with laser precision. In a patient and stiff crouch, Norby waits and examines the ball until he begins the process. A lower toe lift is coordinated with a powerful push forward from the back leg. Once that front toe lands the upper body torque has fully turned and he’s looking to find and drive the ball. I saw this swing yield both powerful and high-velocity results.
Norby pic.twitter.com/ATt36ykBJ6
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) January 29, 2022
It seems like I’ve described a typical swing, but his provides much more power and a larger contact zone than we would expect from someone whose baseball card says 5-10 187 lb. Looking at how and why someone like him can generate hard and clean and such consistent contact from that approach seems complicated. But maybe he learned it from honing his natural gifts while regularly watching a more midwestern sport, hockey.
I don’t know for sure, but following him on social media and his growing up a Minnesota native, it seems hockey is a big part of his sports background. Looking at the skills that make a high level player in that sport, hand eye coordination is a top indicator of success. Timing and quick wrists are almost as vital. As are the various spin recognition abilities where slowing a projectile down can give a better picture of how and where to contact it. Is it possible that Norby being a hockey viewer and fan helped some skills translate right over to the batter’s box?
Watching his cage sessions it seems that’s not out of the question. Now, that brings up another question about the next step and how his strike zone judgment plus the club-like cut will aid or accelerate his offensive development. I see him able to handle pitches up and drive them to the wall.
In his 1st 100 affiliated ABs, his decisions were definitely good ones. His 28 Ks were balanced out by 21 walks and a productive, telling .414 on-base/.283 average. Fangraphs writer David Laurila had an interview with fellow 2021 draftee Colton Cowser where Cowser spoke of Norby’s BP home run consistency so there’s lot of people noticing the results when the ball’s flying off his bat. Here’s a high one that he turned around for his first pro Home Run called by Delmarva’s Sam Jellinek.
#orioles rookie Connor Norby just hit his 1st pro HR! Congrats on the first of many. This one gives @shorebirds a 2-0 lead #milestones #Birdland #prospects pic.twitter.com/SPYwaQJXo0
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) August 22, 2021
The sample size is minimal, and it’s early, so take it for what it’s worth. His introduction to pro ball showed someone with good swing mechanics that gets the most out of his frame. On top of maxed out contact skills and intelligent at-bat decisions, it seems clear that the Orioles have a strong offensive skill set to coach up the ladder. Playing at an improved ECU program brought Norby to a level where scouts got eyes on him and Oriole fans are going to want to do the same thing starting this year. Here’s a bit of defense from a shift where Norby shows his range throwing out a hitter from the SS hole.
And here’s Connor Norby’s throw from the hole to get Coby Mayo #defense #Birdland pic.twitter.com/9p2FSuwwf0
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) August 13, 2021
Second base in the Orioles system is a true position of strength. At multiple levels there are names like Hernaiz, Noelberth, Westburg and others. Offensive and defensive based skill sets abound the depth chart at the keystone. But the leader who could emerge with a sizzling 2022 could be Connor Norby. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him take the position and hit .300 with it for many years solidifying a roster spot and holding off any challengers as the O’s near winning percentage success.
