Spencer Ketcham Turnbull Biography
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull (born September 18, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who most recently played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies. Turnbull played college baseball for the Alabama Crimson Tide before the Detroit Tigers selected him in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in 2018. On May 18, 2021, Turnbull threw the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners.
Early Life and Background
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull was born on September 18, 1992, in Madison, Mississippi. He attended Madison Central High School in his hometown. During his high school years, Turnbull developed into a promising baseball pitcher, setting the foundation for his future career. His family includes his father Jim Turnbull and mother Missy Turnbull, who supported his athletic pursuits from an early age.
After graduating from high school, Turnbull continued his baseball career at the collegiate level. He enrolled at the University of Alabama, where he played for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball program. He became Alabama’s top starting pitcher during the 2013 season, demonstrating his talent at the college level. Following his sophomore season at Alabama, Turnbull played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a prestigious wooden-bat league known for developing top college talent.
Path to Major League Baseball
Turnbull’s performance at the University of Alabama and in the Cape Cod Baseball League caught the attention of professional scouts. The Detroit Tigers selected Turnbull in the second round of the 2014 MLB draft, using the 63rd overall pick. He signed with the Tigers shortly after being drafted, receiving a $900,600 signing bonus. This selection marked the beginning of his professional baseball journey.
He began his professional career in the Tigers organization with a brief stint in the Gulf Coast League (GCL Tigers), making one start before being promoted to the Low-A Connecticut Tigers. He finished his first professional season with an 0-2 record and a 4.45 ERA in 11 starts. The following year, Turnbull played for the Single-A West Michigan Whitecaps in 2015, where he posted an impressive 11-3 record with a 3.01 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 22 starts, showing significant improvement in his game.
His 2016 season was interrupted due to a shoulder impingement, causing him to miss most of the year. In 2017, Turnbull began the season with the High-A Lakeland Flying Tigers, compiling a 7-3 record with a 3.05 ERA in 15 starts. He finished the season with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves, where he went 0-3 with a 6.20 ERA in four starts. The Tigers added him to their 40-man roster after the 2017 season, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull Career
Detroit Tigers (2018-2023)
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull returned to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to begin the 2018 season. He started 13 games for Erie and then two games for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens before the Tigers promoted him to the major leagues on September 11, 2018. He made his MLB debut on September 14 against the Cleveland Indians, pitching a 1-2-3 inning of relief with one strikeout. He finished his debut season with a 0-2 record in four appearances.
In 2019, Turnbull made the Tigers’ starting rotation out of spring training. He earned his first MLB win on April 23. Despite the victory, Turnbull struggled through the season, going 3-17 in 30 starts with a 4.61 ERA and 146 strikeouts in 148 and one-third innings. His 17 losses led all of Major League Baseball that season. He also received the lowest run support among all qualifying major league starters, averaging just 2.65 runs per game, which contributed significantly to his win-loss record.
The 2020 season was shortened due to the pandemic, with Turnbull making 11 starts for the Tigers. He compiled a 4-4 record with a 3.97 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 58 and two-thirds innings. On July 31, 2020, he earned his first win in 19 starts and his first-ever win at Comerica Park, defeating the Cincinnati Reds 7-2.
The 2021 season began with Turnbull on the non-baseball related COVID-19 injured list, delaying his start. He returned to the rotation on April 21 and won his season debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates. On May 18, 2021, Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners, recording nine strikeouts and two walks in a 5-0 victory. This no-hitter, the first by a Tiger since Justin Verlander’s in 2011, represented the highlight of his career. However, his season ended prematurely when he was placed on the injured list with a right forearm strain on June 5. After a setback in his recovery, he underwent Tommy John surgery on July 20, ending his 2021 campaign. In nine starts that year, he posted a 4-2 record with a 2.88 ERA before the injury.
Turnbull missed the entire 2022 season while rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery. He returned to action in 2023, making his season debut on April 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays, where he allowed seven runs on eight hits and three walks in two and one-third innings. After seven starts with a 1-4 record and 7.26 ERA, he was optioned to Triple-A Toledo on May 7. He was placed on the injured list with neck discomfort on May 12 and spent most of the season on the injured list before being activated on August 23 and optioned to Toledo. On November 17, 2023, the Tigers did not 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 made his first start with the Phillies on April 2, throwing five innings and allowing three hits, no earned runs, no walks, and seven strikeouts. He appeared in 17 games with Philadelphia, logging a 2.65 ERA and 58 strikeouts, demonstrating strong performance with his new team. He was placed on the injured list with a lat strain on June 27 and transferred to the 60-day injured list on August 17, ending his season early with the Phillies.
Toronto Blue Jays (2025)
On May 5, 2025, Turnbull signed a major league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays and was optioned to the Florida Complex League Blue Jays for his debut. He appeared in three games (one start) for Toronto, registering a 1-1 record with a 7.11 ERA and four strikeouts across six and one-third innings. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment on June 25, and he was released by the organization on June 27. Following his release, Turnbull signed with the Chicago Cubs on a minor league contract in July. He made six starts for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, struggling to an 0-3 record with a 9.49 ERA. He later signed with the Kansas City Royals in August and made four appearances (three starts) for the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers, posting an 0-2 record with a 6.38 ERA. He elected free agency following the season.
Pitching Repertoire and Style
Turnbull features a four-seam fastball and a tailing two-seam fastball, each averaging 94-95 MPH and topping out at 98 MPH. His secondary pitches include a slider averaging 86-87 MPH, a curveball at about 80-81 MPH, and a changeup at approximately 86-88 MPH. The slider has been his most effective pitch throughout his career, yielding only a .202 batting average against. His power fastball combination with his wipeout slider has made him an effective strikeout pitcher when healthy.
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull Career Statistics
Across his Major League Baseball career spanning from 2018 through 2025, Turnbull has compiled a win-loss record of 16-30 with a 4.31 earned run average and 342 strikeouts. His career highlights include leading the American League in losses during the 2019 season and recording a no-hitter on May 18, 2021. His most productive season came in 2021 before the injury, when he posted a 4-2 record with a 2.88 ERA in nine starts.
Career Milestones
His no-hitter against the Seattle Mariners on May 18, 2021, stands as the defining moment of his career, making him one of just eight pitchers in Tigers history to accomplish the feat. That performance included nine strikeouts and two walks in a 5-0 victory. The achievement placed him among the prestigious company of Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, and other all-time greats who have thrown multiple no-hitters. His first MLB win on April 23, 2019, marked another significant milestone in his professional journey.
Spencer Ketcham Turnbull Family
Family Background
Turnbull was born to Jim and Missy Turnbull in Madison, Mississippi. His parents supported his baseball ambitions throughout his youth and amateur career. He grew up in the Mississippi capital region and attended local schools, including Madison Central High School, where he first gained recognition as a baseball player. His family environment fostered his development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Turnbull is married to Ashley TerKeurst, who is a fashion blogger and the daughter of Lysa TerKeurst. The couple began their relationship after Turnbull threw his no-hitter in May 2021, when he publicly acknowledged Ashley in his post-game interview. They have since married and have a child together. Turnbull has also been open about his Christian faith, which has been a important part of his personal life throughout his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition for Turnbull as he navigated through multiple organizations following his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. After signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in May, he appeared in just three games with the major league club before being designated for assignment in late June. His brief stint in Toronto produced mixed results, with a 1-1 record but a 7.11 ERA in six and one-third innings of work.
Following his release from the Blue Jays, Turnbull signed with the Chicago Cubs organization in July and reported to Triple-A Iowa. His performance with the Cubs’ top minor league affiliate was challenging, as he went 0-3 with a 9.49 ERA in six starts. He later joined the Kansas City Royals organization in August, making four appearances with Triple-A Omaha, where he posted an 0-2 record with a 6.38 ERA. The season demonstrated the difficulties of returning to form following his Tommy John surgery and the subsequent injuries that limited his effectiveness.