Derek Norris is the Oakland A’s hottest hitter right now, batting .370 with a .457 on base percentage, four homeruns, and 19 RBI.  Norris is thriving while platooning with lefty John Jaso, but will his success at the plate last?

This is only the 25-year-old’s third season in the bigs, and the A’s have themselves quite the catcher.  Norris was traded to Oakland before the 2012 season and has impressed in the green and gold thus far.  Not only is he good at the plate, but behind it as well.  He’s been able to handle a young pitching staff and defend the plate well the last few years, showing improvement every season.

When Norris was called up in 2012, he made an immediate impact that A’s fans won’t soon forget.  His first homer in the bigs was a three-run walk-off  with two outs against the San Francisco Giants.  He finished the 2012 season with a .201 average, seven homeruns, and 34 RBI.

2013 was Norris’ first full season with the A’s, but shared time behind the dish with Jaso and Kurt Suzuki. In 98 games, D-No finished the season with a .246 average with nine homeruns and 30 RBI.

This season, both Norris and Jaso have been swinging a hot bat, making Bob Melvin’s job getting them in the lineup difficult.  Norris is killing the ball right now, putting up career numbers. This past weekend, Norris hit two three-run jacks as the A’s swept the team that sent him packing; the Washington Nationals.

So, can Norris continue his stellar hitting?

He’s had some ups and downs at the plate in his young career, but what is really helping him put up great numbers to start this season is the success of Jaso.

Both catchers are seeing the ball extremely well and are in the lineup for matchups in their favor.  That being said, Norris has been hitting the ball very well against both lefties and righties. He’s had some clutch hits in his three seasons with the A’s and that will continue no matter who is on the mound.

When a player is on a hot streak, they can’t be stopped. It also helps that the A’s as a team are on a roll, winning five in a row.  

With Norris splitting time behind the plate, yet still having success in the batter’s box is very promising for the A’s.  In the past, Norris has struggled against righties in the bigs, but when you look at his minor league stats, there wasn’t that big of a difference in average when facing righties or lefties.

So, yes. Norris can continue to put up great offensive numbers, but as long as Jaso is on the roster, D-No will continue to split time with him, despite his batting average.