Jul 22, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Jacob Turner (33) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
2009 MLB Draft
Jacob Turner, SP – Westminster Christian Academy
Jacob Turner was one of baseball’s hottest prospects when the Tigers traded him about a week before the 2012 trade deadline. He had six major league starts to his name — without much success — but he had posted stellar numbers while rising up quickly through the minor leagues and his future still appeared to be very bright.
Turner, along with catcher Rob Brantly and pitcher Brian Flynn, were sent to the Miami Marlins in exchange for starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez and second baseman Omar Infante. The trade amounted to highway robbery.
Now with the Cubs, Turner hasn’t pitched this season due to an elbow injury. With nearly 300 MLB innings in the book, his ERA stands only a shade below 5.00.
Brantly had some immediate success in 2012 after hitting .290/.372/.460 in his first 113 plate appearances, but he played a dismal 67 games in 2013 and hasn’t been back to the big leagues since.
Flynn has also reached the major leagues, but his ERA stands at 8.64 in 25 total innings.
The three players the Tigers gave up have thus far combined for 0.0 wins above replacement (WAR) while Sanchez and Infante combined to give the Tigers 13.6 WAR as crucial starters on multiple playoff teams.
Next: 2008 MLB Draft: Ryan Perry