Where in the world is Daniel Norris? and other new MLB Lugnut locales

The answer to that title question? The Chicago Cubs.

As a new Major League Baseball season dawns, it's time to catch up on which former Lugnut plays where, division by division.

The American League West

- The Los Angeles Angels of Lansing: out of nowhere, the Angels became Nutty, signing Noah Syndergaard and relievers Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera this offseason.
- Oakland Athletics: the Nuts' current parent club will feature 2018 Lansing star infielder Kevin Smith in a regular role, plus potential MLB debuts for Zach Logue and Zach Jackson, growing relief roles for Kirby Snead and Dany Jiménez, and the chance for Max Schuemann and Colin Peluse to reach The Show. It didn't take long for the Lugnuts to make an impact on Oakland, did it?
- Seattle Mariners: lefty Danny Young should start the season in Triple-A with a chance at his MLB debut later this summer.
- Texas Rangers: this offseason, they signed Jesús Tinoco plus Nash Knight, the wonderfully-named, high-character utilityman.

*

The American League Central

- Chicago White Sox: Kendall Graveman serves an important role in the White Sox's pen.
- Detroit Tigers: there's a good chance that Drew Hutchison could see some time on the mound this year in Detroit.
- Kansas City Royals: this should be outfielder Edward Olivares's breakthrough season.

*

The American League East

- Baltimore Orioles: catcher Robinson Chirinos enters his 11th MLB season with his fifth different team in the last five years. Chirinos played the infield for the Lugnuts in 2003-2004.
- Boston Red Sox: veteran Rich Hill plays for his fifth different team in the last four seasons, though he's familiar with Fenway, having first pitched for Boston in 2010-2012 and 2015. Keep an eye out for potential reliever Taylor Cole and the up-and-coming Josh Winckowski.
- New York Yankees: magic man Tim Locastro re-signed with the Yanks after his acquisition last year from Arizona.
- Toronto Blue Jays: it would be shorter to talk about Blue Jays who aren't former Lugnuts. José Berríos, for instance. Going Nuts in Toronto: Ryan Borucki, Tim Mayza, Nate Pearson (kinda, pitched in Lansing in the Crosstown Showdown), Jordan Romano, Tayler Saucedo, Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and, very soon, Gabriel Moreno, Josh Palacios and Otto Lopez.

*

The National League West

- Colorado Rockies: catcher/outfielder Carlos Pérez turned in a splendid Triple-A season in the A's organization last year; his bat would be impactful should the Rockies give him a chance this year- Los Angeles Dodgers: Kevin Pillar reunites with 2012 Lugnuts teammate Andy Burns, while slugging Ryan Noda moves up to Triple-A.
- San Francisco Giants: building on their 107-win season of a year ago, the Giants' rotation this year will feature the returning Anthony DeSclafani and the newly acquired Matthew Boyd.

*

The National League Central

- Chicago Cubs: here's our good friend Daniel Norris, plus All-Star catcher Yan Gomes and a little-known 2015 rehabber by the name of Marcus Stroman.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Ángel Perdomo should see action out of the Milwaukee pen, while Rowdy Tellez's blasts send Bernie Brewer sliding all summer long.
- Pittsburgh Pirates: can this be the year that star-crossed Anthony Alford finally meets with good health?
- St. Louis Cardinals: the Blue Jays gave up on 2016 first-round sinkerballer T.J. Zeuch, so the Cardinals are going to give it a go.

*

The National League East

- Atlanta Braves: infielder Ryan Goins still plays excellent D, which helped him punch his ticket to Braves camp as a nonroster invitee.
- Miami Marlins: look below the Majors, where Griffin Conine, Jake Fishman and Rule 5 pick Cobie Vance head to Double-A or Triple-A. Yes, Jake Fishman, a man destined to be a Marlin even more than the son of Mr. Marlin.
- New York Mets: a bullpen featuring Miguel Castro and Sean Reid-Foley sounds pretty darn good.- Philadelphia Phillies: in addition to Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos, the Phils inked Kevin Vicuña to a minor-league contract. That's a strong offseason.
- Washington Nationals: at the Major League level, there's outfielder Lane Thomas and pitcher Patrick Murphy; pitcher Aaron Sanchez was signed as a reclamation project, looking to regain his old All-Star form; infielder Richard Ureña will knock on the door in Triple-A; and then there's the trio of traded Lugnuts, catcher Drew Millas and pitchers Richard Guasch and Seth Shuman, who head to Double-A and beyond this summer.

*

The Lugnuts open against Michigan State University in the Crosstown Showdown presented by Delta Dental on Wednesday, April 6. Then the Nuts raise the curtain on the Midwest League season at home against the Lake County Captains on Friday, April 8. Click here to purchase your tickets now.

For more information on the Lugnuts, call (517) 485-4500.

# # #