Bronx RHP James Norwood signs Yankees’ MiLB contract

Wednesday December 14, 2022

The Yankees have signed a right-handed reliever, who went to high school just a few streets away from Yankee Stadium. James Norwood, who is a Bronx native, has agreed to a minor league contract on Tuesday, reported Jack Curry of YES Network.

James Norwood, a righty reliever who was 1-0 w/ 8.31 ERA and 22K/9BB in 17 1/3 IP for Phillies in 2022, has signed minor league deal w/ Yankees. He averaged 97 with FB and throws splitter & slider. He graduated from All Hallows HS, which is a few minutes away from Yankee Stadium
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) December 13, 2022

The newest Yankees‘ reliever played in 20 games for the Phillies in 2022 before being sent to Boston in June. In 17 ⅓ innings, James Norwood had an ERA of 8.31 and 22 strikeouts. He never pitched in the big leagues for Boston. With Triple-A Worcester, the 28-year-old had a 4.87 ERA and 24 strikeouts.

James Norwood, the newest Yankee reliever has some really good stuff. Simple, repeatable delivery and the splitter is devastating. Heater looks good around 96+ and the cutter/slider combo is nice. I’ll be interested to see what Matt Blake can do for him pic.twitter.com/XLiHIpqUWO
— Jonny's Lasagna ⚾️ (@JLasagna43) December 13, 2022

James Norwood was in the New York Post All-Bronx Player of the Year in 2011. The Cubs picked him out of St. Louis University in the seventh round of the draft three years later.

After making it to the major leagues for the first time in 2018, James Norwood pitched in 23 relief games for the Cubs over the next three years, with an ERA of 4.50. The next year, in 2021, he pitched five innings without a hit for the Padres.

What do you think about the Yankees signing James Norwood? Will he prove to be another Nestor Cortes? Leave your comment below.