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Justin Turner

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For the Australian rugby player, see Justin Turner (rugby union).
Justin Turner
New York Mets – No. 2
Infielder
Born: (1984-11-23) November 23, 1984 (age 39)
Long Beach, California
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
debut
September 9, 2009, for the Baltimore Orioles
Career statistics
(through May 29, 2013)
Batting average.258
Home Runs6
Runs batted in78
Teams

Justin Matthew Turner (born November 23, 1984) is a Major League Baseball utility infielder for the New York Mets. Nicknamed "The Machine", he has experience playing mainly third and second base; however, he has played shortstop, first base and (one inning) in left field.

Early life

Turner attended Mayfair High School 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 College World Series.[1]

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 bonus upon signing with the organization.[2][3]

Baseball career

Cincinnati Reds

Turner reported to the Reds' Rookie League affiliate, the Billings Mustangs, 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 Double-A Chattanooga within two years, finishing the season, at age 23, with a .289 average and a .791 OPS at that level.

Baltimore Orioles

On December 9, 2008, during the Winter Meetings, Turner was traded along with utility player Ryan Freel and infielder Brandon Waring to the Baltimore Orioles, in return for catcher Ramon Hernandez.[4] He was invited to spring training as a non-roster invitee; upon its conclusion, he was assigned to Triple-A 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.[5] He made his major league debut the next day at Fenway Park, pinch hitting for Melvin Mora and finishing the game at third base.[6] Three days later, he got his first major league hit at Yankee Stadium, a single to center field off Michael Dunn.[7] 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.[8] However, on April 12, 2010, the Orioles placed starting second baseman Brian Roberts on the 15-day disabled list and recalled Turner from Norfolk.[9] On May 21, 2010 Turner was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.

New York Mets

Justin Turner at bat.

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 Evans being sent down to Triple-A Buffalo.[10]

After designating Brad Emaus for assignment on April 19, 2011, the Mets called Turner up from Buffalo.[11] 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 21, 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.

In 2012 the New York Mets converted Turner to a all-around utility infielder but on May 6, 2012 when Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada went on the disabled list Turner became the starting shortstop in rotation with Jordany Valdespin as starting shortstop until the return of Ruben Tejada.

On June 18, 2013, Turner was placed on the 15-day disabled list with pain in his ribcage.[12]

References

  1. ^ Fullerton Titans - Player Bio
  2. ^ Baseball Cube - Justin Turner Transactions
  3. ^ Cot's Baseball Contracts: Baltimore Orioles
  4. ^ MLB.com - Trade starts dominoes falling for O's
  5. ^ MASNsports.com - Random thoughts and observations
  6. ^ Baseball Reference - September 8, 2009, Baltimore Orioles vs. Boston Red Sox
  7. ^ Baseball Reference - September 11, 2009, Baltimore Orioles vs. New York Yankees
  8. ^ MASNSports.com - Tillman talks about his demotion
  9. ^ MASNSports.com - Roberts to the DL now official
  10. ^ Mets call up Turner; Reyes sits again ESPN
  11. ^ Mets Designate Brad Emaus For Assignment
  12. ^ "Mets Place Infielder Justin Turner On DL, Activate Reliever Scott Atchison". CBS News New York. Retrieved 19 June 2013.

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