2011: Dual position performer as a rookie with 19 starts at first base, eight starts as the DH and 14 mound appearances • Compiled a .277 batting average with five doubles and a triple • Also posted a 2-0 pitching record with a save with a 3.20 earned run average and held opponents to a .213 batting average, second-best on the staff • Earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors twice (Feb. 20 and Mar. 28), starring on opening weekend against Akron and Lamar and later against Auburn • Made his collegiate debut on opening day with two innings of scoreless relief pitching, fanning five of the seven batters he faced in MSU’s 11-0 shutout of Akron (Feb. 18) • Drew his first collegiate start the next day at first base against Akron (Feb. 19) • Collected a double, a triple and drove in five runs in an impressive 3-for-5 debut day at the plate • Added a 2-for-3, 3-RBI showing as the DH against Lamar (Feb. 20) to nail down the SEC’s first weekly rookie honor in 2011 • Claimed the SEC Freshman of the Week honor again after a series against Auburn (Mar. 28) • Went 5-for-9 (.556) with four runs scored in two starts at first base and picked up his first career win with a season-longest 5.1-inning relief stint and career-first win in a series sweep-clinching Sunday win over the Tigers • Recorded his second win with 3.1 scoreless inning of relief at South Alabama (May 3) • Picked up his first career save with 3.2 innings of successful game-closing pitching against Georgia State (Mar. 6) • Registered 19 strikeouts in 25.1 innings of mound duty • Made his first pitching start (1.0 innings) against eventual national champion South Carolina (Apr. 24) • Singled, doubled and drove in four runs in a 9-4 win over Eastern Illinois (Mar. 15) • Reached base in 21 consecutive games, second-best on the team • Hit .237 with a .370 on-base percentage in 15 SEC games played (11 starts) • Compiled a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA over 13.1 innings pitched in seven SEC mound appearances (1 start) • One of three Diamond Dogs with a perfect 4.0 grade point average during the 2011 fall term • Played summer league baseball with the Cal Ripken Sr. League champion Bethesda (Md.) Big Train.
HIGH SCHOOL:
Versatile dual position, multi-sport standout as an infielder and pitcher at Fairhope (Ala.) High School • Coached by Stu Fuller • Highly-decorated prep star, honored as the Louisville Slugger Player of the Year for Alabama, the Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year and as the Alabama Sports Writers Association Mr. Baseball for 2010 • Compiled an 11-2 record with a 2.31 ERA and 108 strikeouts as a senior • Helped lead the Pirates to a 35-9 record and a berth in the 2010 AHSAA Class 6A state semifinals • Played four different infield positions, batting .444 with 67 runs scored, 65 RBI, 13 doubles and 11 home runs • Registered an 8-3 record with a save and a 1.25 earned run average en route to Louisville Slugger All-American and Alabama Class 6A All-State/Player of the Year honors as a junior • Hit a team-leading .487 with 57 hits, 50 RBI and 13 home runs • 2009 Alabama Sports Writers and Birmingham News All-State selection and Mobile Press Register Deadly Diamond All-Metro team/Player of the Year selection • Second-team all-state pick as a sophomore, hitting .410 while posting a 3-3 worksheet with two saves, an 0.94 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 37 innings • Four-time All-Baldwin County selection and a four-year regular in football • Quarterbacked the Pirates and was invited to play in the Alabama-Mississippi High School All-Star Football Game • Member of the National Honor Society and the Future Business Leaders of America.
DRAFT HISTORY:
Selected by the Texas Rangers in the 46th round of Major League Baseball’s 2010 First-Year Player Draft.
PERSONAL:
Born Daryl Gordon Norris on June 12, 1991 in Mobile, Ala. • Son of Charlotte and Ronnie Norris of Fairhope, Ala. • Majoring in business administration.
