Washington Nationals Sign Former Top Prospect Jacob Turner
The Washington Nationals signed four players to minor league deals yesterday, including former top prospect Jacob Turner.
The Washington Nationals are just the latest team to take a chance on righty hurler Jacob Turner. He was a top 10 draft pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2009 MLB Amateur Draft, but he has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that come with being drafted so high. He has had trouble sticking in one place; the Nationals are his fifth team since 2012. Turner first reached the majors in 2011, but he was traded to Miami in 2012 as the centerpiece of the Anibal Sanchez trade. The Cubs acquired him from Miami in 2014, but after struggling on the North Side of Chicago, the White Sox claimed him off waivers.
He has had some major struggles throughout his young career. However, he has also had some success. In his first season as a full-time starter in 2013, he showed promise with a 3.74 ERA. Over three seasons with Miami, he posted a mediocre 4.41 ERA in 239 innings, but he has not found success anywhere else. In his time with Detroit and the two Chicago teams, Turner has failed to post an ERA below 6.00.
He has not been very effective the last two years, bouncing between the majors and minors. However, he is still only 25 and showing some signs of life. In 2016 with the White Sox, his velocity on every pitch was the highest of his career. His four seam fastball touched 94.8 MPH this year – not exactly flamethrowing for a right-hander, but over two MPH faster than his 2014 velocity. He throws four pitches: a fastball, slider, curveball and a changeup. He’s never been a big strikeout guy, but he has a live arm and the Nationals see something in him.
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The chances that Turner contributes at the major league level are slim, but a minor league contract comes with no risk. If he can find a way to help the Washington organization in any way, the Nationals can be pleasantly surprised. If not, the organization is not hurt in any way. The 25-year-old has his work cut out for him, but he’s been given the chance to show that he’s still got it.