Scouting Tigers Draft Pick Jacob Turner
Continuing our look at some of the top prep right handers in this year’s draft class, we move on now to Jacob Turner…
Jacob Turner | RHP | Westminster Christian Academy | Drafted by – Detroit Tigers
Label – The Complete Package
Signability – He’s a tough sign as Scott Boras client…
Body Type – Great pitcher’s frame at 6-foot-5 and about 205 pounds…good amount of projection remaining
Stuff
Fastball – Uses both a two-seam and four-seam fastball…the two-seamer generates good sink, while the four-seamer has plus life and will run away from righties. Turner sat at 90 – 94 mph early in the year, but was regularly sitting in the 94 – 96 range and touching 97 by the end of his season. The increase in velocity obviously caused his stock to soar.
Slurve – Not a curve and not really a slider, but an effective breaking ball nonetheless. Has a solid two-plane break and comes out of his hand looking like a fastball. The pitch could use more consistency, but it flashes plus potential and he’s shown an ability to command it. Could use a little tightening, but the mid-70′s pitch really complements his fastball well. You can see his fastball (left) and slurve (right) below:
*Credit to the MLB Scouting Bureau
Change-Up – The big question mark for me is Turner’s change-up because I haven’t seen it first-hand and he doesn’t throw it much. I’ve read vague descriptions of the pitch such as “good” or “average” or “developing”.
Mechanics
*Credit to baseballfactoryTV
Very deliberate at first, but picks up the pace where it counts. His deliberate pace makes it seem like the ball to explodes out of his hand. Turner torques or twists his upper body as he strides forward, allowing him to generate excellent separation between his torso and hips, which leads to a forceful uncoiling of his torso. The power generated from the torso uncoiling is transmitted to Turner’s throwing arm, allowing him to produce excellent velocity.
Turner doesn’t just generate excellent velocity, but he’s deceptive as well. Hitters mostly see Turner’s back during his wind-up and everything he does is late. He breaks his hands late. He rotates his upper body late. The ball doesn’t show itself to the hitter until late, just before release. He even releases the ball late.
His front side mechanics get the job done though they aren’t perfect. He is prone to flying open from time-to-time, costing him command. Turner sometimes holds onto the ball a bit too long, pushing the ball into the left hand batter’s box.
I love the intent Turner throws with. A big factor in velocity is the intent to throw hard and that’s what Turner does. You see this in the head jerk Turner has at release. Despite an aggressive intent, Turner throws in a relatively controlled manner and his velocity remains consistent even in the late stages of games.
Other Notes
Turner generally has solid control of all his pitches and is projected to have good command in the future, but it’s not as precise as it needs to be at the moment. Turner is also still getting a feel for pitching, something that should come with experience.
Best Case Outcome – No. 1 starter
More Likely Outcome – Probably something along the lines of a No. 2 starter.
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