Spencer Turnbull Bio
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull (born September 18, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs organization, and Kansas City Royals organization. A right-handed pitcher drafted in 2014, Turnbull first reached the majors in 2018 and is best known for throwing a no-hitter for the Tigers in 2021.
After starring in college at the University of Alabama, Turnbull climbed through the Tigers’ minor league system before establishing himself as a starting pitcher in Detroit. His career has been marked by a high-strikeout arsenal, injury setbacks, and brief stops with several organizations later in his career.
Early Life and Background
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull was born on September 18, 1992, in Madison, Mississippi. He grew up in Madison as the son of Jim and Missy Turnbull. He attended Madison Central High School, where he developed into a top pitching prospect in the state of Mississippi.
Turnbull continued his baseball career at the University of Alabama, playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He became Alabama’s top starting pitcher in 2013, a season that established him as one of the top college arms available in the following draft. After the 2013 college season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, gaining valuable experience against elite amateur competition.
Path to Baseball
Following his strong junior season at Alabama, Turnbull entered the 2014 MLB draft, where the Detroit Tigers selected him in the second round with the 63rd overall pick. He signed with the Tigers and received a $900,600 signing bonus, beginning his professional career that summer.
Turnbull began his professional journey in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League with the GCL Tigers and, after one start, was promoted to the Low-A Connecticut Tigers, where he finished 2014. He moved to Single-A West Michigan in 2015, posting an 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA in 22 starts, before missing most of 2016 with a shoulder impingement. He returned healthy in 2017, splitting time between High-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie, which positioned him for an eventual major league opportunity.
Spencer Turnbull Career
Early Career (2014-2017)
Turnbull’s first professional assignment came in 2014, when the Tigers sent him to the GCL Tigers and then the Connecticut Tigers. His most impressive minor league season came in 2015 at West Michigan, where his 3.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP showed the command and strikeout profile that scouts had projected.
After losing most of 2016 to a shoulder injury, Turnbull rebounded in 2017. He opened the year at High-A Lakeland, going 7-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 15 starts, then moved up to Double-A Erie. The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after that season, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.
Detroit Tigers (2018-2023)
Turnbull made his MLB debut on September 14, 2018, against the Cleveland Indians, pitching a 1-2-3 inning of relief with one strikeout. He finished his first major league stint 0-2 in four appearances, but he earned a rotation spot coming out of spring training in 2019.
In 2019, Turnbull logged 30 starts and 146 strikeouts in 148 1/3 innings but went just 3-17. His 17 losses led the major leagues, and he received the lowest run support among qualifying starters, at 2.65 runs per game. The 2020 shortened season produced better results, as he went 4-4 with a 3.97 ERA, finally earning his first home win at Comerica Park on July 31, 2020, after 18 previous winless starts there.
After missing the start of 2021 on the COVID-19 injured list, Turnbull returned to the rotation on April 21 and won his season debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On May 18, 2021, he pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history, striking out nine and walking two in a 5-0 victory over the Seattle Mariners. It was Detroit’s first no-hitter since Justin Verlander’s in 2011. A right forearm strain later ended his season and led to Tommy John surgery in July 2021.
Turnbull missed all of 2022 rehabbing from surgery. He returned on April 2, 2023, against the Tampa Bay Rays but struggled, going 1-4 with a 7.26 ERA in seven starts before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo. Neck discomfort and a 60-day injured list stay followed, and on November 17, 2023, the Tigers chose not to tender him a contract, making him a free agent.
Philadelphia Phillies (2024)
On February 14, 2024, Turnbull signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. He debuted on April 2 with five scoreless innings, three hits allowed, no walks, and seven strikeouts. Across 17 games he posted a 2.65 ERA with 58 strikeouts before a lat strain sent him to the injured list in late June and the 60-day injured list in August.
Toronto Blue Jays, Cubs, and Royals (2025)
Turnbull signed a major league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on May 5, 2025, and made three appearances for the club, going 1-1 with a 7.11 ERA before being designated for assignment on June 25 and released on June 27. On July 12, 2025, he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs, but struggled at Triple-A Iowa, going 0-3 with a 9.49 ERA, and was released on August 28. He then signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals on August 30, pitched for Triple-A Omaha, and elected free agency on November 6, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Turnbull relies on a four-seam fastball and a tailing two-seam fastball that both sit 94-95 MPH and top out at 98 MPH. He pairs those heaters with a slider averaging 86-87 MPH, a curveball around 80-81 MPH, and a changeup at 86-88 MPH. His slider has been his most effective pitch, holding opposing batters to a .202 career average against it.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature moment of Spencer Turnbull’s career came on May 18, 2021, when he no-hit the Seattle Mariners, recording nine strikeouts in a 5-0 win and delivering Detroit’s first no-hitter since 2011. His 17 losses in 2019, despite 146 strikeouts, also stand as a defining chapter, illustrating the run-support struggles he endured with the Tigers.
Spencer Turnbull Career Wins
Across his MLB career, Spencer Turnbull has accumulated victories with the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Toronto Blue Jays. His most memorable win came in his no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners in 2021.
Detroit Tigers Highlights
Turnbull’s first MLB win came on April 23, 2019, against an American League opponent, and he added four more victories in 2020, including his first home win at Comerica Park on July 31. In 2021, he went 4-2 before Tommy John surgery ended his campaign, capped by the no-hitter on May 18.
Other Wins and Performances
After signing with the Phillies in 2024, Turnbull delivered a strong early-season run, going 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in 17 appearances. In 2025, he earned his lone Blue Jays victory in three appearances before being released. Across the minors, including 2015 at West Michigan, he notched an 11-3 record, signaling his future major league potential.
Spencer Turnbull Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Spencer Turnbull is the son of Jim and Missy Turnbull, who raised him in Madison, Mississippi. He is a Christian and has credited his faith as a steady influence throughout his professional career.
Personal Life
Turnbull revealed that he was dating Ashley TerKeurst, a fashion blogger and the daughter of Lysa TerKeurst, after throwing his no-hitter in 2021. The couple later married, and they share a child together.
2025 Season Performance
Spencer Turnbull’s 2025 season was defined by constant movement between organizations. After signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in early May, he made three appearances and posted a 7.11 ERA before being designated for assignment and released in late June.
He rebounded briefly with minor league deals, joining the Chicago Cubs organization in mid-July and pitching for Triple-A Iowa, where an 0-3 record and 9.49 ERA led to his release on August 28. His final stop of the year came with the Kansas City Royals organization, where he made four appearances at Triple-A Omaha, going 0-2 with a 6.38 ERA, before electing free agency on November 6.
Looking ahead, Turnbull enters the offseason healthy and available, hoping to land another opportunity with a major league club. His strikeout profile and major league experience, including a 2021 no-hitter, should make him an attractive depth option for clubs seeking starting or long-relief help.