Justin Turner
Encyclopedia
Justin "Red" Matthew Turner (born November 23, 1984 in Long Beach
, California
) is a Major League Baseball
infielder
for the New York Mets
.
in Lakewood, California
, earning three-time All-Suburban first team honors as a shortstop
and second baseman
. He hit .514 in league play as a senior, earning MVP honors en route to a league title. He played collegiately for Cal State Fullerton
, earning freshman All-American honors from Baseball America
in 2003 after quickly taking over as the starting second baseman. He was named to the 2003 College World Series
all-tournament team as a shortstop. He tasted victory in a two game final over Texas
, as Fullerton won the 2004 edition
.
Turner was drafted in the 29th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
by the New York Yankees
, but he did not sign. He was drafted in the 7th round (204th overall) of the 2006 draft
by the Cincinnati Reds
, receiving a $50,000 signing bonus upon signing with the organization.
, where he saw time at all four infield positions and in the outfield, finishing the season with a team-leading .338 batting average
and a .922 OPS
. He was promoted to AA Chattanooga
within two years, finishing his age 23 season with a .289 average and a .791 OPS at that level.
, Turner was traded along with utility player Ryan Freel
and infielder Brandon Waring to the Baltimore Orioles
, in return for catcher
Ramon Hernandez
. He was invited to spring training
as a non-roster invitee; upon its conclusion, he was assigned to AAA Norfolk
for the 2009 season
. Playing mostly second and third base
, he finished the year with a .300 average and a .750 OPS.
The Orioles purchased Turner's contract on September 8, 2009. He made his major league debut the next day at Fenway Park
, pinch hitting for Melvin Mora
and finishing the game at third base. Three days later, he got his first major league hit at Yankee Stadium
, a single to center field off Michael Dunn
. He finished the season 3-18, having appeared in 12 games, three of them starts (all at third base).
Turner was invited to spring training as a member of the 40-man roster, but was demoted to Norfolk at the end of camp. However, on April 12, 2010, the Orioles placed starting second baseman Brian Roberts
on the 15-day disabled list
and recalled Turner from Norfolk. On May 21, 2010 Turner was designated for assignment
by the Baltimore Orioles
.
being sent down to Triple-A Buffalo.
After designating Brad Emaus
for assignment on April 19, 2011, the Mets called Turner up from Buffalo. Turner hit his first major league home run against the Houston Astros on May 15, 2011 off Aneury Rodriguez
. A three-run home run, it capped off a 5-RBI day for Turner. On May 21st, in a Subway Series
game at Yankee Stadium
, Turner collected an RBI in his 7th consecutive game, setting a Mets rookie record for most consecutive games with an RBI. With this record and other impressive stats, Turner was named the NL Rookie of the Month for May 2011. He is the first Met to win the award since its creation in 2001.
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
for the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
Early life
Turner attended Mayfair High SchoolMayfair High School
Mayfair High School is a high school in the Bellflower Unified School District 9 in the city of Lakewood, California. The school first opened in 1959. The student population is approximately 3616 in grades 7 through 12...
in Lakewood, California
Lakewood, California
Lakewood is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 80,048 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Long Beach on the west and south, Bellflower on the north, Cerritos on the northeast, Cypress on the east, and Hawaiian Gardens on the southeast. Major thoroughfares...
, earning three-time All-Suburban first team honors as a shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. He hit .514 in league play as a senior, earning MVP honors en route to a league title. He played collegiately for Cal State Fullerton
Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball
The Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball team represents California State University, Fullerton in NCAA Division I college baseball. In 35 years of Division I play, the Titans have never had a losing season. They are supplied by DeMarini....
, earning freshman All-American honors from Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
in 2003 after quickly taking over as the starting second baseman. He was named to the 2003 College World Series
2003 College World Series
The 2003 College World Series was held June 13 through June 23, 2003 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Rosenblatt Stadium. In the first best-of-three championship series since 1948, Rice...
all-tournament team as a shortstop. He tasted victory in a two game final over Texas
Texas Longhorns baseball
The Texas Longhorns baseball team represents The University of Texas at Austin and competes in the Big 12 Conference of NCAA Division I.The Texas Longhorns are the winningest program in college baseball history in terms of win percentage with .740 and ranks second all-time in total wins to the...
, as Fullerton won the 2004 edition
2004 College World Series
The 2004 College World Series was held June 18 through 28, 2004 in Omaha, Nebraska. Eight NCAA Division I college baseball teams met after having played their way through a 64-team bracket to play at historic Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium....
.
Turner was drafted in the 29th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, but he did not sign. He was drafted in the 7th round (204th overall) of the 2006 draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, receiving a $50,000 signing bonus upon signing with the organization.
Cincinnati Reds
Turner reported to the Reds' Rookie League affiliate, the Billings MustangsBillings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
, where he saw time at all four infield positions and in the outfield, finishing the season with a team-leading .338 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
and a .922 OPS
On-base plus slugging
On-base plus slugging is a sabermetric baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The ability of a player to both get on base and to hit for power, two important hitting skills, are represented. An OPS of .900 or higher in Major League...
. He was promoted to AA Chattanooga
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
within two years, finishing his age 23 season with a .289 average and a .791 OPS at that level.
Baltimore Orioles
On December 9, 2008, during the Winter MeetingsWinter meetings
The Baseball Winter Meetings are an annual event, held each December, attended by representatives from all 30 Major League Baseball organizations, more than 160 minor league baseball teams, various league offices, companies associated with baseball and guests from international baseball-playing...
, Turner was traded along with utility player Ryan Freel
Ryan Freel
Ryan Paul Freel is a retired baseball utility player. He played second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.-MLB career:...
and infielder Brandon Waring to the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, in return for catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Ramon Hernandez
Ramón Hernández
Ramón José Hernández Marin is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who plays for the Colorado Rockies. Previously, he played with the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres , Baltimore Orioles , and Cincinnati Reds .-Career:Hernández is a career .263 hitter with 144 home runs, 651 RBI, and 455...
. He was invited to spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
as a non-roster invitee; upon its conclusion, he was assigned to AAA Norfolk
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
for the 2009 season
2009 International League season
The International League season began on Thursday, April 9, with all fourteen teams competing on opening day. The regular season ended on Monday, September 7....
. Playing mostly second and third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, he finished the year with a .300 average and a .750 OPS.
The Orioles purchased Turner's contract on September 8, 2009. He made his major league debut the next day at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, pinch hitting for Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
and finishing the game at third base. Three days later, he got his first major league hit at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, a single to center field off Michael Dunn
Michael Dunn (baseball)
Michael G. Dunn is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins.-Baseball career:Dunn played collegiate baseball for the Community College of Southern Nevada from 2003 to 2005...
. He finished the season 3-18, having appeared in 12 games, three of them starts (all at third base).
Turner was invited to spring training as a member of the 40-man roster, but was demoted to Norfolk at the end of camp. However, on April 12, 2010, the Orioles placed starting second baseman Brian Roberts
Brian Roberts
Brian Michael Roberts is an American Major League Baseball All Star second baseman, nicknamed B-Rob.He made his Major League debut in and has spent his entire professional career with the Baltimore Orioles organization, located in Baltimore, Maryland.-Early life, education and college-baseball...
on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and recalled Turner from Norfolk. On May 21, 2010 Turner was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
New York Mets
On May 25, 2010, Turner was claimed off waivers from the Orioles and the Mets optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo. On June 16, Turner was called up to the Mets, with Nick EvansNick Evans (baseball)
Nicholas Reginald Evans is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball....
being sent down to Triple-A Buffalo.
After designating Brad Emaus
Brad Emaus
Bradley Mark Emaus is a Major League Baseball second baseman in the Colorado Rockies organization.-College career:Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 18th round of 2004 Major League Baseball draft out of East Coweta High School in Sharpsburg, Georgia, Emaus instead elected to enroll at Tulane...
for assignment on April 19, 2011, the Mets called Turner up from Buffalo. Turner hit his first major league home run against the Houston Astros on May 15, 2011 off Aneury Rodriguez
Aneury Rodríguez
Aneury Rodriguez is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Houston Astros.Rodriguez signed with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent in 2005. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jason Hammel in 2009. Following the 2010 season, Rodriguez was selected in the Rule 5 draft by the...
. A three-run home run, it capped off a 5-RBI day for Turner. On May 21st, in a Subway Series
Subway Series
The Subway Series is a series of Major League Baseball games played between teams based in New York City. The term's historic usage has been in reference to World Series games played between New York teams...
game at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, Turner collected an RBI in his 7th consecutive game, setting a Mets rookie record for most consecutive games with an RBI. With this record and other impressive stats, Turner was named the NL Rookie of the Month for May 2011. He is the first Met to win the award since its creation in 2001.