As the Tables Turnbull

So generally I try to write content about players who are actually, you know, actively playing. And while that shouldn’t rule out any fluff pieces involving Bruce Chen, I think Spencer Turnbull could have something to offer once his rehab assignment is complete. And while it’s just been about 10 days of this writing since he went on the 10-day injured list for a right forearm strain to already preparing to throw the ball, his return to the Majors could be a slower one. But the 2.88 ERA and 44 strikeouts with just 12 walks in the 50 innings he had pitched (including a no-hitter against the Mariners) and the allure for more is why my focus is on those tables and why they be turnin. Into a ball. At a ball? It’s not really clear. Turnball. Maybe turning into a way while turning towards another ball? That’s totally it.

“It’s hard because he’s not throwing a baseball yet,” Hinch said. “But he’ll do some rehab stuff. He’s going to see our people down there and begin the slow and steady progress of getting back. He’s doing fine. We’re just being ultra conservative with making sure that we don’t bring any more inflammation back into that forearm.” – USA Today, 6/14/21.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN “OUR” PEOPLE HINCH? Okay, so here’s the deal; I think a few things are obvious in terms of Turnbull. First, he’s injured as I’ve done such a good job in illustrating. In fact, to this point its like 93% of my total content. But secondly and relatedly to the first part, he is or should be readily available in your leagues. (YMMV, of course.) And lastly, we have a pitcher, before his injury (again!) who was putting together a strong body of work, and it would seem that he’s actually be doing this for a bit of time. So it begs the question, upon his return, how good can Spencer Turnball become?

Well, let’s take a quick look at what I think are the essentials:

While I could fill the page with any number of stats, I highlighted these ones to tell a story. While its easy to go Sylvia Plath or Cormac McCarthy because of my usual existential despair, the story here is actually one of hope and positivity. As can be seen, despite a lowering K/9 rate, Turnball has been able to evolve from a thrower into a pitcher; increasing his GB% and suppressing the long-ball, driving a FIP that started nearly at 4.00 in 2019 that is now sitting at an impressive 2.94.

Now, in full disclosure (legal ethics is an important topic of discussion here at Razzball) I’d like to point out that not everything is picture perfect here. His BB/9 which I conveniently left out of my previous narrative has remained quite high the past two season. His 2.16 number so far this year though has quashed that concern a bit, though with only 50.0 IP thus far, this is far from a for sure thing.

Beyond that, its important to note that based on his advanced pitching data, instead of is usual fourseam fastball, a pitch he has thrown at a nearly 50% clip the past two seasons has given way to a cutter. Also another interesting trend is that his FA velocity, perhaps a direct result of using the fastball less, has increased. In 2019, he threw fastballs 93.7 MPH and now that number sits at 94.5.

Obviously, his injury and current rehab factor into the low ownership rates, but I’d start paying attention and perhaps even start thinking about taking a flier. The trends are looking good and despite this last speed bump, we could see an eventual career year form. Just need to get those tables Turnballing.

I have no idea what that means, but we’re going with it anyways. Because I got nothing else. But honestly, I guess.

Jay is a longtime Razzball everything who consumes an egregious amount of Makers Mark as a vehicle to gain wisdom and augment his natural glow. Living in the D.C. area, he also likes spending time visiting the local parks and feeding lettuce to any turtles he encounters, including Mitch McConnell. You can follow him on Twitter @jaywrong.