Detroit Tigers Top 25 Prospects: 20-18, Turnbull, Houston and Garcia

20. Spencer Turnbull
Age: 24
Throws: Right-Handed
Role: Starting Pitcher
2016 Minor League Affiliate: Lakeland Flying Tigers

A former second-round pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2014, Spencer Turnbull was limited to 12 starts last season due to injury.

However, despite the limited work, the prospect turned in a quality season.

Armed with a prominent fastball, Turnbull logged a 3.45 ERA and 7.9 strikeouts per nine innings over 44.1 frames.

Those 44.1 innings included 12 starts for both of Detroit’s Gulf Coast League affiliates, as well as with Advanced-A Lakeland.

Turnbull was especially effective in the Florida State League, posting a 3.00 ERA in 30 innings. The right-hander allowed just three home runs last season, and has given up five total long balls in his professional career.

Given a full season’s worth of starts in 2017, Turnbull could easily vault up next year’s edition of this list.

Potential Future Role With the Detroit Tigers

Considering Detroit already employs plenty of young starters either at the Major League level, or in the minors, Turnbull will have his work cut out for him.

However, the right-hander has the talent to crack the Major League roster.

Long-term, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Turnbull pitch out of the Tigers rotation.

19. Zac Houston
Age: 22
Throws: Right-Handed
Role: Relief Pitcher
2016 Minor League Affiliate: Connecticut Tigers

A potential steal in the 11^th round of the 2016 draft, Houston enjoyed an outstanding first season in the professional ranks.

Starting the season off at Connecticut in the New York-Penn League, the 6’5” right-hander didn’t allow a run in his first 10 innings. Over the same span, he racked up 19 strikeouts to just three walks.

Unfortunately, Houston did allow an earned run after his promotion to West Michigan.

The Mississippi State product saw his ERA rise from 0.00 to 0.46 after allowing just a single run in 19.2 frames for the Whitecaps.

In addition to keeping runners from crossing home plate, the 22-year-old also continued to strike batters out at a high rate.

During his time with West Michigan, the prospect punched out 13.7 batters per nine innings.

Potential Future Role With the Detroit Tigers

Considering that Houston made such light work out of opposing hitters in both the New York-Penn League and the Midwest League it would be a surprise to see him advance even further in the minors next season.

The right-hander will have to keep his walks down (5.5 free passes per nine frames with the White Caps), but his ability to keep runs off the board and strike batters out should see him reach Detroit’s bullpen sooner rather than later.

18. Bryan Garcia
Age: 21
Throws: Right-handed
Role: Relief Pitcher
2016 Minor League Affiliate: Connecticut Tigers

Similar to Houston, Bryan Garcia is looking like a shrewd draft selection by Al Avila and the rest of the Detroit Tigers front office.

The 21-year-old also made the jump from Connecticut to West Michigan in his first taste of pro ball.

In 18 innings of work, the former sixth-round pick turned in a pristine 1.00 ERA while finishing 12 games.

All told, Garcia allowed just one home run and three walks in his time with Connecticut.

Additionally, the right-hander showed an affinity for striking batters out by fanning 21 hitters. That’s good for 10.5 punch outs per nine frames.

Potential Future Role With the Detroit Tigers

While Garcia struggled in his lone appearance for West Michigan, allowing three runs in just two thirds of an inning, he shows plenty of upside moving forward.

Like Houston, the former University of Miami pitcher could also progress through Detroit’s system quickly if he can continue to post strong strikeout numbers.

What’s more, Garcia also has closing experience, with six saves already in his first professional season.

Next: Detroit's #21 Prospect

If the right-hander can continue to miss bats and record outs, he could eventually settle into a late-inning relief role for the Tigers.