Spencer Turnbull did not win the final spot in the Tigers’ rotation until the final week of spring training, but he has looked worthy of the opportunity so far. The rookie has drawn some national attention with electric strikeout numbers to start the season, including his 10-strikeout performance during Detroit’s home opener. With 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings, Turnbull ranks in the top 15 among all qualified starters this season.
The next challenge will be getting a little deeper into the game. Turnbull has thrown exactly 91 pitches in all three starts this year and is averaging five innings per outing.