Editor's note: When Scott told me he had seen Jacob Turner pitch multiple times, I requested that he write up a brief report for us. He did not travel to the game described below with a radar gun, but he did sit right behind home plate with a bunch of guys who did. I'm hoping that this article can aid readers in learning a little bit more about Turner.
I got a chance to see top RHP high school pitcher Jacob Turner pitch in his final high school game. There was a large contingent of scouts at the game as well as a representative from the Scott Boras Corporation, who is advising the potential top 10 choice. Turner's Westminster Christian Academy lost 3-0 to the Salem Tigers. Turner wasn't absolutely dominant, but he showed the tools that should make him a very high draft choice. His fastball topped out at 96 MPH. I was hoping to see the 98 that I had heard about, but from the radar guns I saw it did not happen. His curve sat at 76-78 throughout the game. It was more consistent than the previous time I had seen him. He could be one of the best talents in this draft long term.
1st Inning: Turner opened the game up against Salem by giving up a hit. He followed that up by striking out two, walking one, and getting a ground out. By the radar guns that I saw he hit 96 three times in the 1st.
2nd Inning: The second inning he had a strikeout looking, ground out, and another K to finish out the inning. The radar guns I saw were 92 to 95 in this frame.
3rd Inning: Turner got a fly out to start off the inning. This was followed by an E4 and 2 K's. 95 mph was the high I saw in this inning on the guns.
4th Inning: Turner had 3 K's and gave up 1 hit in the 4th inning. The fastball was 93-95 and curve sat at its consistent 76-78.
5th Inning: This is where Turner's team fell behind, but it was not really his fault. He opened up the inning with a strikeout, but the ball got away from the catcher and he got on base. The runner moved around the bases without Turner giving up a hit and he scored on a sac fly. He was 93-95 on the gun with 2 K's in this inning.
6th Inning: Turner got a strikeout in the 6th to go along with a walk. Fastball was 91-95. Curve was 76-78 and had a nice break on it.
7th Inning: Turner's high school career ended with a BB, HBP, ground out, and another BB. He was pulled after 6 1/3 innings of work.
Now it is time to see who rolls the dice on Turner and see if they can sign him away from his commitment to North Carolina!
Discuss this article in our College and Draft Talk Forum.