Detroit Tigers: Prospects entering make-or-break seasons

Spencer Turnbull

Perhaps no prospect on this list is in greater danger of losing their roster spot than 25-year-old right-hander Spencer Turnbull. Turnbull was originally selected by the Tigers in the second round of the 2014 draft, right in between Derek Hill and Grayson Greiner.

Turnbull struggled to finish out 2014 but was much stronger in 2015 with Single-A West Michigan. He went 11-3 with a 3.01 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 116.2 innings. That got him noticed, and he was considered a rising star in Detroit’s farm system.

A preseason injury held Turnbull out until June of 2016, when he debuted with the Tigers rookie league affiliate. He posted pedestrian numbers at that level before finishing off the season in High-A with a 3.00 ERA across six starts.

Turnbull made 15 starts at High-A in 2017. His 3.05 ERA and 1.12 WHIP were very solid, but he posted a pedestrian 7.0 K/9. He made his Double-A debut late in the season and was lit up across four starts. He had a 6.20 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP, but did post 22 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

At this point, Turnbull is a 25-year-old college right-hander who has barely sniffed Double-A. Like Greiner and Hill, Turnbull has seen his stock plummet with the recent additions of right-handed prospects. Franklin Perez and Alex Faedo join Matt Manning, Beau Burrows and Kyle Funkhouser as right-handed pitching prospects who project to make the big league rotation in the next few years. With Michael Fulmer already in the fold, space in Detroit’s future rotation is rapidly filling up. He has consistently posted solid strikeout numbers however, so a future in the bullpen may be in the cards.

Bullpen?

Turnbull’s scouting grades include a 60-grade fastball and a 55-grade slider, with below average marks for his curveball and changeup. That profile screams relief pitcher, where Turnbull can rely on a two-pitch arsenal to succeed.

If Turnbull isn’t able to make the jump forward in 2018, it would be wise for the Tigers to embrace his future as a reliever. Space is limited in the rotation, and the Tigers could recoup some of his value if he is able to turn into a quality late-inning reliever. It’s worth the risk, as Turnbull is rapidly looking like an afterthought in a farm system littered with right-handers.