Derrick Turnbow

Team Number:	59
Birth Date:	01/25/1978
Height:	6'3"
Weight:	210lbs.
Position:	Pitcher

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Born in Union City, TN, Turnbow helped to lead his Franklin High School baseball team to an overall record of 30-4 over the course of the four years he was there. Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth round of the 1998 draft, Derrick Turnbow actually didn’t pitch in his first Major League game until he debuted on the mound for the Anaheim angels in 2000. Turnbow’s fastball is one batters’ prepare for, as it routinely hits 98 miles-per-hour.

Derrick Turnbow’s pitching at the beginning of the 2006 season for the Milwaukee Brewers was good enough to earn him a spot on the National League All-Star team; he went 12 for 12 in save opportunities. Upon saving each of the Milwaukee Brewers’ first four games of the 2006 season, Turnbow became the first Major League pitcher ever to complete such a feat. Unfortunately, for this right-handed pitcher, the second half of the season proved as bad as the first half was good with Turnbow losing his closing job to fellow pitcher, Francisco Cordero. With the addition of Elmer Dessens to the 2007 Brewers’ team, thoughts were that Derrick Turnbow’s time with the Brew Crew might be coming to an end; however Brewers’ general manager Doug Melvin was reported to say he would not be trading him. Derrick Turnbow reported that as the 2007 season was beginning he felt in mid-season form.

Through the 2006 season, Derrick Turnbow’s record includes 63 saves, a 3.78 ERA and 176 strikeouts.

In 2007, Derrick Turnbow pitched in 77 games for the Brewers. He racked up an ERA of 4.63, while earning his 2.4 million dollars. Derrick was either on, or way off the mark when coming in as a reliever. There were times when Turnbow needed to be relieved after one inning of terrible pitching. Cordero would be called in, if Derrick was not up to the task of striking out the batters he faced. His famous four-seam fastball just wasn’t up to par at times. There were times that his pitches had to be dug out of the dirt, one after the other. The 2007 stats show that Derrick was a good closer as long as men are not on base. When Turnbow comes in with a man on base, his WHIP rises. The pressure of keeping a run from scoring is Turnbow’s Achilles heel.

For the 2008 opener, Ned Yost bypassed Turnbow when the Brewers found themselves in a jam. But the hard-throwing Turnbow seems to have regained control. Turnbow has had three great outings during spring training. The Brewers coaching staff claims that Turnbow has improved his game when compared to last year. "He has been as good as I've ever seen him, in terms of repeating his delivery and his mechanics," according to Ned Yost. Turnbow’s goal is to get ahead of the batters he faces, instead of trying to overpower the men swinging the lumber.

Derrick floundered early in 2008. His ERA went above 15, and the Brewers are trying their best to trade him. After piling up blown saves, Turnbow was sent down to the minors. With that, Derrick continued his struggles. In late July 2008, doctors found a small tear in his shoulder. It seems that Derrick Turnbow has played his last game as a Milwaukee Brewer.