Justin Turner (minors)

Justin Robert Turner

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• School Warner Southern College

• Born December 19, 1979 in Indianapolis, IN USA

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Justin Turner played five seasons in the minors, peaking at AA.

Turner was taken by the Anaheim Angels in the 8th round of the 2001 amateur draft, one of three third basemen they took in the first ten rounds. Both Dallas McPherson (2nd round) and Matthew Brown (10th round) made it to the majors, while Turner fell short.

Justin made his pro debut with the Provo Angels and hit .216/.327/.335. He only fielded .831 at third base, with 23 errors in 46 games, yet failed to lead Pioneer League third basemen in miscues. In 2002, Turner batted .256/.339/.414 for the Cedar Rapids Kernels, setting career highs in runs (63), doubles (23), homers (11), RBI (61) and walks (47). Moving to second base, he improved his fielding percentage to .952.

Turner hit .260/.313/.414 and fielded .952 again at second with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes in 2003. He smacked nine triples, four shy of California League leader Shin-soo Choo. Wrapping up his career as a player in Organized Baseball, the Indianapolis native played in 2004 with the Quakes (.194/.267/.313 in 19 G) and Arkansas Travelers (.182/.214/.273 in 21 G). He wound up the season in the Boston Red Sox chain, going 4 for 31 with two walks for the Sarasota Red Sox.

Turner signed with the independent Sioux City Explorers for 2005 and hit .223/.294/.306. He had hit .237/.309/.370 overall in his minor league career.

Turner became a hitting coach with the Charleston RiverDogs in 2010 and Tampa Yankees in 2011-2012. In 2013 he moved up to AA to serve as the hitting coach with the Trenton Thunder.