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.