Comment of the Week: Do you think Derek Norris is a future catcher or first baseman?

Over the past two days the community on The Nats Blog has had an interesting discussion around a Nationals Today article which discussed the rumor that Jesus Flores may be traded if he has a good showing this spring. The discussion naturally included the dilemma caused by the club's logjam at the backstop position. Some people felt that Jesus Flores was a natural fit as the future first-baseman of the Nationals. I have always felt that prospect Derek Norris could easily transition into that role.

User "Peric" delivered a very well thought out, and well worded response which caught my eye: 

"On catching versus first base. The Nats now have three first basemen in the high minors who are under 30 in Marerro, Moore, and new comer and former top prospect Michael Aubrey. In the low minors Justin Bloxom, perhaps JP Ramirez. Then there's Jesus Valdez who isn't getting any younger. 

Clearly the plan is to have Flores, and most especially Norris remain at catcher for the foreseeable future. They aren't moving people. The plan is continued development. The current philosophy for farm system development sees filling up with starting pitching, catching, and middle infielders and going from there. The Nats are following that to the "T".

Peric delivers a good argument here. The Nationals indeed have made an effort to build through starting pitching, catching, and the middle infield positions. They currently have a stockpile of catchers as we mentioned earlier, as well as two very talented young middle infielders who will begin the season as starters, and if it weren't for injuries they would have three former top ranked prospects in their starting rotation; Strasburg, Zimmermann, and Detwiler. 

Given that general plan, as Peric, points out, the Nats would want to retain Norris as a catcher and not move him over to first base as I have suggested several times before. However, I think the real answer lies in Peric's own original comment. As he said, the club wants to build through those positions and then branch out...but if the club has three young players who are close to major league level, there is no reason they wouldn't look to branch out from within. That is to say, they succeeded in building a stockpile of young catchers, so why wouldn't they take the one prospect at that position who is best known for his non catching tools (his bat) and move him to a position of need?

As we all know, Norris is incredibly talented at the plate. His unique combination of raw power and plate patience, particularly for his age makes him a possible middle-of-the-order hitter a few years down the road. His biggest faults currently are on the defensive end. As Keith Law   Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus pointed out , Norris has slow (but improving) hands and doesn't receive the ball very well. Jesus Flores and Wilson Ramos on the other hand are considered plus catchers on the defensive side. It only seems logical that to get Norris the most at bats he move to first base...

That of couse, is just my opinion. What are your thoughts? Do you see Derek Norris moving to first base? Or staying at catcher? 

 Thanks again to Peric for the great comment.