Tigers Enamored With Turnbull’s Power Stuff
DETROIT—The Tigers took it easy on right-hander Spencer Turnbull in 2014 by limiting his innings after drafting him in the second round out of Alabama.
But Turnbull got a heavy dose of professional ball in 2015 while pitching as a starter for low Class A West Michigan. He fared quite well.
“He’s a talented young man,” said Dave Owen, the Tigers’ farm director. “Power stuff. He’s got a great pitcher’s body. You could use all the buzz words, but he’s really got a really good arm. A power fastball that’s got some sink to it. Right now, he’s got a slider and a curveball and a changeup. He’s just a good-looking kid and we’re glad he’s a Tiger.”
Turnbull, 23, is 6-foot-3, 215 pounds. He has a fastball that sits in the 92-94 mph range, but he can throw it harder when he needs to. His slider has been a good pitch as well, and he also throws a curveball and a changeup.
“He’s throwing all four,” Owen said. “There may be a time when he goes with either a slider or a curveball, but right now I think his slider’s a little bit better pitch for him. He’s just got a real good arm. His best days are obviously in front of him. We’re looking forward to just getting him his innings and hoping he stays healthy and has a good year.”
The vast majority of talented young pitchers start out in the rotation. They stay there if they can develop their secondary pitches and move to the bullpen if they cannot.
Turnbull will be no different. He went 11-3, 3.01 in 22 starts for West Michigan. But he also walked 52 batters in 116 2/3 innings. Turnbull struck out 106 and allowed 106 hits. He also hit seven batters with pitches.
“That may be a conversation down the road,” Owen said regarding the question about whether Turnbull will end up as a starter or a reliever. “As of right now, our plan is to keep him starting.”
TIGER TALES
• Catcher Bryan Holaday has an uphill battle to earn a roster spot this spring with veteran Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the fold. Holaday is out of options, so he would have to clear waivers if the Tigers try to send him to Triple-A Toledo. James McCann is the starter.
• A couple years ago, righthander Melvin Mercedes was thought to be an up-and-coming prospect. This year, he will head to minor league camp after signing back with the Tigers as a minor league free agent.
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