Those battling for the spot include top prospect Michael Fulmer as well as Drew VerHagen, Kyle Ryan, Matt Boyd, Shane Greene, and Jeff Ferrell. Their fight for the spot is noble, but not realistic – not this year. The fifth spot will be given to Daniel Norris.
Starting pitchers, even the fifth one, need have measurable skills, and they need to have a number of intangibles. Norris has it all.
The 22-year-old pitcher has proven that he can pitch. In 2014 and 2015, he pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Tigers.