Jacob gets his Turn in West Michigan
The Detroit Tigers announced on Thursday that they will be assigning Jacob Turner, thier first round pick of the 2009 draft (9th overall), to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low A). The 18-year-old pitched for the Westminster Christian Academy High School in St. Louis last season. Whitecaps CEO and managing partner Lew Chamberlin told the Grand Rapids Press, “Turner represents the future of the Tigers, and I hope people would want to come out here and see him.” He has had an impressive spring training, and can hopefully keep it up at this level. I hope to get a chance to see him pitch before he’s moved up to Lakeland(high A) or even Erie(AA), which is a possibility.
Also, some former Whitecaps have been on the move this weekend as well. Optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens were outfielders Casper Wells, Brennan Boesch, and Ryan Strieby, as well as right handed pitcher Alfredo Figaro. Infielder Audy Ciriaco was been assigned to Double-A Erie Sea Wolves, while short-stop Gustavo Nunez has been sent to Minor League camp and has not been assigned yet.
Good luck this season to Turner and the West Michigan alumi in the Tigers organization. Looks like it will be an exciting year, especially seeing how Scott Sizemore does at the MLB level in Detroit.
Top photo courtesy of Westminster Christian Academy
Bottom photo property of MIB
Minoring In Baseball 
When you first mentioned Westminister Christian Academy, I thought you were talking about the high school in South Florida. It wouldn’t have been too far off considering that it’s a great school for baseball… A-Rod went there. I’ll definitely keep my eyes on Turner, thanks for the update!
Elizabeth
http://redsoxgirl46.mlblogs.com
Whitecaps! Ah, brings back those Kalamazoo days for me (they’re hazy since they were my college days)… could you imagine being 18 years old and playing baseball for a living? At any level? Sometimes I wonder if these kids know how good they have it. Seriously.
–Jeff
http://redstatebluestate.mlblogs.com/
http://mtrredstatebluestate.com
I had the same initial reaction as Elizabeth about Westminster Christian, since so many great major leaguers came out of that school in Florida. Good luck to Turner. May he stay healthy.
– http://janeheller.mlblogs.com
Is Sizemore going to be the real deal? I hear his name from time to time, but I haven’t done much research on him. Does he have any fantasy value? I’m always looking for an edge…
http://raysfanboy.mlblogs.com/
Elizabeth/Jane-funny that there are 2 WCA’s producing baseball studs.
Jeff-I can’t imagine playing baseball for a living at any age, especially at 18. I hope this kid can mature fast like Porcello did and do some damage.
Yeah, my college days are a little hazy, too. Seems like it was a simpler time, though.
Rays-I really hope Sizemore pans out. Now, he’s still just a prospect until he can prove himself. Defensively I think he’s solid, but will have to see what he can do with the stick.
–Mike