It’s being reported that the Detroit Tigers are set to call up top pitching prospect Jacob Turner. The 20 year old would be making the jump straight from Detroit’s Double-A affiliate.
On the year, Turner has posted an ERA of 3.48 in his 17 minor league starts. The right hander’s struck out 90 batters in 113.2 innings with only 2.5 BB/9 over that span.
Selected 9th overall by the Tigers in the 2009 draft, Turner made it all the way up to High-A last year as a teenager, posting an combined ERA of 3.28 over his first 115.1 professional innings pitched.
Turner entered 2011 ranked as Baseball America’s 21st overall prospect and has done nothing to hurt his standing so far this season.
The timing of his call has many around the league suggesting it could be the precursor to a deal. While Turner’s name has come up in trade talks this summer, so have many of the Tiger’s other young arms. Turner may be getting the nod to replace another pitcher that is being moved in the near future.
Detroit has been in the market for a reliever and starter this July, and has been linked to players Jeremy Guthrie, Koji Uehara, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Marquis and Hiroki Kuroda. Recent reports are also stating that the Tigers and Mariners are nearing a deal for right hander Doug Fister.
John Parent over at Motor City Bengals has more on the roster move and what it could mean for the Tigers.