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3 Tigers who could make a significant leap in 2020

By Max Bevington

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of a Detroit Tigers baseball hat and Rawlings glove sitting on the field during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 12, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 12: A detailed view of a Detroit Tigers baseball hat and Rawlings glove sitting on the field during Spring Training workouts at the TigerTown Facility on February 12, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 11: Spencer Turnbull #56 of the Detroit Tigers looks on while pitching during the Detroit Tigers Summer Workouts at Comerica Park on July 11, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 11: Spencer Turnbull #56 of the Detroit Tigers looks on while pitching during the Detroit Tigers Summer Workouts at Comerica Park on July 11, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

1. Spencer Turnbull 

After pitching in just four games in 2018, Turnbull was thrust onto the mound in 2019 without much opportunity to develop. Still, he showed some flashes. Turnbull ended the season with an ERA of 4.61. He also struck out 149 batters compared to walking 59.

While Turnbull has some impressive skill, he still needs to work on his accuracy and control, which hurt him last season when he led the MLB in batters hit by pitch with 16.

Throughout the offseason, Turnbull has committed to making himself better, and even hired the personal trainer of teammate Matthew Boyd. Turnbull was put on a strict diet and exercise routine similar to Boyd’s, and it seems to be working out for him so far.

Turnbull was able to impress in the limited spring training he had in order to earn a spot on the Tigers’ roster. And so far during the intra-squad games, he has really shown some great skill.

During Thursdays intra-squad game, Turnbull retired all 12 batters he faced over four innings. He did so with only 44 pitches, and struck out six.

Turnbull now has himself slotted securely into the Tigers’ starting rotation for when the season starts. And with Daniel Norris still recovering from COVID-19, Turnbull could have the chance to breakout in 2020 and make himself a fixture in the starting rotation.

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