Spencer Turnbull
Turnbull with the Detroit Tigers in 2019
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1992-09-18) September 18, 1992
Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 14, 2018, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record12–29
Earned run average4.55
Strikeouts280
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Spencer Ketcham Turnbull (born September 18, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers. He made his MLB debut in 2018. On May 18, 2021, Turnbull threw a no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners.

Career

Early career

Turnbull attended Madison Central High School in Madison, Mississippi, and the University of Alabama, where he played college baseball for the Alabama Crimson Tide.[1] He became Alabama's top starting pitcher in 2013.[2] After the 2013 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3]

Minor leagues

The Detroit Tigers selected Turnbull in the second round, with the 63rd overall selection, of the 2014 MLB draft. He signed with the Tigers, receiving a $900,600 signing bonus.[4][5] He began his professional career with the GCL Tigers, and after one start, was promoted to the Low–A Connecticut Tigers, where he finished the season, posting an 0–2 record and 4.45 ERA in 11 starts. He spent 2015 with the Single–A West Michigan Whitecaps where he was 11–3 with a 3.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 22 starts. He missed most of the 2016 season due to a shoulder impingement.[6] Turnbull began 2017 with the High–A Lakeland Flying Tigers, compiling a 7–3 record and 3.05 ERA in 15 starts, and finished the season with the Double–A Erie SeaWolves where he pitched to an 0–3 record and 6.20 ERA in four starts.[7]

Detroit Tigers (2018–2023)

The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season.[8] He returned to Erie in 2018.[9] He started 13 games for the SeaWolves and then two games for the Toledo Mud Hens of the Triple–A International League, before the Tigers promoted him to the major leagues on September 11.[10] He made his major league debut on September 14, pitching a 1-2-3 inning of relief with one strikeout against the Cleveland Indians.[11] He finished 0–2 in 4 appearances for Detroit.

In 2019, Turnbull made the starting rotation out of spring training and earned his first MLB win on April 23. Turnbull went 3–17 in 30 starts on the season, with a 4.61 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 148+1⁄3 innings. His 17 losses led the major leagues. He also had the lowest run support of all qualifying major league starters, at just 2.65 runs per game.[12]

On July 31, 2020, Turnbull earned the win in a 7–2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. It was his first win in his last 19 starts, and his first-ever win at home following 18 previous starts at Comerica Park.[13] Turnbull started 11 of the Tigers' 58 games during the 2020 season, compiling a 4–4 record with a 3.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 58+2⁄3 innings.

Turnbull did not make the Tigers' Opening Day roster for the 2021 season, due to being placed on the non-baseball related (COVID-19) injured list.[14] He returned to the rotation on April 21, and won his season debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[15]

On May 18, 2021, Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners, recording nine strikeouts and two walks in a 5–0 win. It was the first no-hitter by a Tiger since Justin Verlander's in 2011.[16]

On June 5, 2021, Turnbull was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain, and was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 7 after suffering a setback in his recovery.[17] On July 20, it was announced that Turnbull would undergo Tommy John surgery, ending his season. In nine games with Detroit in 2021, he posted a 4–2 record and 2.88 ERA.[18] Turnbull missed the entire 2022 season rehabilitating from surgery.

Turnbull returned to major leagues on April 2, 2023, allowing seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 2+1⁄3 innings of work against the Tampa Bay Rays.[19] After 7 starts, in which he struggled to a 1–4 record and 7.26 ERA, Turnbull was optioned to Triple–A Toledo on May 7.[20] He was placed on the injured list with neck discomfort on May 12,[21] and transferred to the 60-day injured list on June 9.[22] On August 23, Turnbull was activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple–A Toledo.[23] On November 17, 2023, the Tigers did not tender a contract to Turnbull making him a free agent.[24]

Pitch selection

Turnbull throws a four-seam fastball and a tailing two-seam fastball, each averaging 94–95 MPH (topping out at 98 MPH), a slider averaging 86–87 MPH, a curveball at about 80–81 MPH, and a changeup at about 86–88 MPH. The slider has been his most effective pitch, yielding only a .202 batting-average-against over his career.[25]

Personal life

Turnbull is the son of Jim and Missy Turnbull.[26] Turnbull is a Christian.[27]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Alabama pitcher Spencer Turnbull projected to be first in-state college player drafted on Thursday". AL.com. June 5, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  2. ↑ Don Kausler Jr. (May 2, 2013). "'Matured' Spencer Turnbull returns to role as Alabama's No. 1 starter". AL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  3. ↑ "#17 Spencer Turnbull - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  4. ↑ Andrew Gribble (June 14, 2014). "Spencer Turnbull signs contract with Detroit Tigers, ends career at Alabama". AL.com. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  5. ↑ Laymance, Austin (January 20, 2016). "Tigers sign second-rounder Spencer Turnbull to full pick value | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  6. ↑ Sipple, George (March 9, 2017). "Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull hoping to pitch at Double-A". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Spencer Turnbull Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
  8. ↑ Fenech, Anthony (November 20, 2017). "Tigers add seven prospects to 40-man roster, sign LHP Ryan Carpenter". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 26, 2017.
  9. ↑ Brown, Nathan (June 10, 2018). "'Wolves' Turnbull tosses four-hit shutout". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  10. ↑ McCosky, Chris (September 10, 2018). "Iglesias to see specialist; Tigers call up pitchers Turnbull, Hall". The Detroit News.
  11. ↑ McCosky, Chris (September 15, 2018). "Dandy debut: Tigers rookie Turnbull makes a powerful first impression". The Detroit News. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  12. ↑ Severance, Matt (August 15, 2019). "MEET THE DETROIT TIGERS' SPENCER TURNBULL, PERHAPS MLB'S UNLUCKIEST STARTING PITCHER". sportsline.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  13. ↑ Beck, Jason (July 31, 2020). "Tigers' bottom of the order gets job done". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  14. ↑ Petzold, Evan (March 21, 2021). "Spencer Turnbull 'unlikely' to be cleared before Detroit Tigers leave spring training". freep.com. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  15. ↑ Beck, Jason (April 21, 2021). "Turnbull strong in debut as Tigers end skid". MLB.com. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  16. ↑ Beck, Jason (May 18, 2021). "Tigers' Turnbull spins MLB's 5th no-no of '21". MLB.com. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Tigers Make Four Roster Moves".
  18. ↑ "Detroit Tigers' Spencer Turnbull to have season-ending Tommy John surgery". ESPN.com. July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Turnbull disappointed in return, Tigers start 0–2". detroitnews.com. June 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Demoted to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Recalled, placed on IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Moved to 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "Tigers' Spencer Turnbull: Activated, optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Tigers Non-Tender Austin Meadows, Spencer Turnbull". MLB Trade Rumors. November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Spencer Turnbull PitchFX at fangraphs.com". fangraphs.com. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
  26. ↑ Landry, Sean. "UA pitcher drafted to Tigers". Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  27. ↑ Doering, Joshua. "Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull throws no-hitter, gives 'all glory to God'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
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