| AB | 47 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .362 |
| OBP | .392 |
| SLG | .511 |
| HR | 1 |
- Full name Brice Craig Turang
- Born 11/21/1999 in Corona, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 176 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Santiago
- Debut 03/30/2023
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Drafted in the 1st round (21st overall) by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2018 (signed for $3,411,100).
View Draft Report
Turang is one of the most famous prep players in the 2018 class and entered the draft cycle as the top high school player in the nation. A four-year varsity starter at Santiago (Corona, Calif.) High, Turang also played for USA Baseball's 18U National Team in 2016 and 2017, more than holding his own playing on the 2016 club that featured 2017 No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene, respectively. In fact, you wouldn't have to search far to find a scout who said Turang was the best player on the team, despite the fact that Turang never played in the international tournament in Mexico after getting hit in the face by a pitch. Because of his exposure and history as a talented player at such a young age, teams have been somewhat disappointed with Turang since last summer. He's never struggled, but he's also never wowed scouts in the same way that he did as an underclassman. Even with that said, Turang was still voted a first-team Preseason All-American, the best pure hitter in the class, the best defensive infielder in the class with the second-best arm, and the No. 3 athlete in Baseball America's preseason survey to major league scouting directors. Turang is among the more polished prep players with an advanced left-handed hit tool and rarely swings and misses with a patient approach that allows him to hit the ball where it's pitched. Turang's loudest tool is his speed, which is at least plus and likely plus-plus, allowing him to wreak havoc on the bases and also cover a large swath of ground defensively. He can make throws from multiple angles, on the run, up the middle and in the hole, and also has the sure hands and footwork that should allow him to stay at the position at the next level. At just 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, the biggest knock on Turang is his size. Some teams are worried about the impact he'll make at the next level and don't anticipate him having much more than fringe-average raw power. While Turang might not be filling up a scout card with 6- and 7-grade tools, he does everything well, has a long track record of succeeding against elite competition and plays a premium position as a lefthanded hitter.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Turang was a celebrated high school star who fell to the Brewers at No. 21 overall in the 2018 draft. He has touched every level of Milwaukee's system and spent 2022 in the Triple-A International League, where he was one of five players 22 or younger to qualify for the batting title. Turang ranked top 10 in the IL in hits, runs, stolen bases and walks.
Scouting Report: There's nothing flashy about Turang, who doesn't have one spectacular tool but is an athletic middle infielder and steady offensive performer. He recognizes pitches well, controls the strike zone and has good bat-to-ball skills with a flat swing geared to hit line drives around the park and also a low swing-and-miss rate in the zone. His Triple-A strikeout rate jumped from 15% in 2021 to 20% in 2022 as he focused on trying to do more damage in the air, with the tradeoff resulting in 13 home runs that more than doubled his previous high of six from 2021. Turang's offensive game will always center around his on-base skills more than his below-average power. Still, his max exit velocity has peaked at 110 mph, and he could one day hit 10-15 home runs. Evaluators most bullish on him believe he could surprise beyond those levels. A plus runner, Turang's defense has improved to the point that he is at least an average defender at shortstop, where he has good body control, instincts, hands and footwork to go with an average arm. With the composition of their major league roster, the Brewers also gave Turang some time in center field and second base, where he has a chance to develop into a plus defender.
The Future: Turang already has played 175 games at Triple-A, but the Brewers have Willy Adames locked in at shortstop and Kolten Wong for one more season at second base, so there isn't an obvious opening for Turang. He has the skills to handle shortstop but could end up as Wong's replacement.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
Track Record: Turang had buzz as the potential top overall pick in the 2018 draft entering his senior year, but a middling season dropped him to the Brewers at No. 21 overall. Turang has rebounded to move quickly and reached Triple-A in 2021 as a 21-year-old, though he has yet to dominate at any level.
Scouting Report: Turang stands out for his athleticism, plus speed and ability to control the strike zone. He tracks and recognizes pitches well, doesn’t chase much and makes frequent contact with a flat swing path from the left side geared to hit line drives to all fields. While Turang has gotten stronger, he still has a slender frame and below-average power. Turang whips the barrel through the zone well with good bat speed, but he will need to drive the ball with more impact moving forward. Some believe Turang can develop into a 15-20 home run hitter as he gets into his physical prime and learns which pitches he can pull, but others are skeptical he will get there. Turang’s most noticeable strides have come on defense, where he has proven himself a reliable defender at shortstop. He has good anticipation, moves his hands and feet well and has good body control. While some previously thought Turang might end up at second base, he has quieted those concerns by showing improved range to his left and at least average arm strength.
The Future: Turang has the talent to be an above-average regular if he adds power. If he doesn’t, he may be more of a utilityman or a low-end regular. He will open 2022 back at Triple-A and could make his major league debut during the season.
-
Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Turang became well known in scouting circles early in his high school years, playing for USA Baseball’s 15U National Team in 2014. He put himself in the conversation among the top prep hitters in the country, winning a gold medal for Team USA and making the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup in 2017. Turang didn’t quite meet the high expectations scouts had for him as a senior and slid down the first round to the Brewers, who drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $3.411 million. In his first full season in 2019, Turang hit well in the low Class A Midwest League, though he struggled after a promotion to high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old. With the 2020 season wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic, Turang reported to the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers’ best hitter and started to drive the ball with more impact.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang consistently puts together quality at-bats with his sharp eye for the strike zone and sweet lefthanded swing. He’s a patient hitter who doesn’t chase much off the plate and drew walks 15% of the time in 2019. He has a calm, balanced swing with good bat-to-ball skills and stays through the ball, leading to an all-fields, line-drive approach. The knock on Turang coming into 2020 was his well below-average power, which got exposed once the Brewers promoted him to the Carolina League. Turang did a better job of driving the ball with more authority in Appleton. The Brewers kept an internal “barrel” board of hitters with exit velocities of 95 mph or better at the alternate site, and Turang was consistently among the leaders throughout the summer. Turang didn’t change his swing, but he added strength and adjusted his approach in favorable counts to drive the ball for more damage. He still doesn’t project as a big power threat, but optimistic evaluators now think 15-20 home runs in his prime is feasible. Turang is a plus runner who has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He has a solid chance to stay at shortstop, where his hands and feet work well. He’s adept at charging in on the ball and ranging toward second base, and he has worked to improve his throws from the hole with his average arm strength.
THE FUTURE: If Turang can continue to show the uptick in his hard-hit rate, he has the components to be an on-base threat who can hit toward the top of a lineup. After what he showed at the alternate training site, he should be ready to jump to Double-A in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: A star for USA Baseball in high school, Turang was viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2018 class for several years in the leadup to the draft. But instead of being in consideration for the first pick, Turang ended up sliding significantly. Turang became a victim of so-called “prospect fatigue.” The Brewers went well over slot to sign him for $3,411,100 and keep him from a Louisiana State commitment. Turang immediately hit at two Rookie levels after signing and continued to perform in his first full season. He earned Midwest League all-star honors at low Class A Wisconsin and finished the year at high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang's most obvious offensive skills are his plate discipline and ability to put the ball in play. He walked 83 times in 2019, compared to 101 strikeouts, and profiles as a leadoff hitter with his plus speed and on-base skills. Turang gets the most from his plus speed as a savvy baserunner. He stole 30 bases in 35 attempts at his two Class A stops and projects to keep his speed as he ages because of his thin frame and long legs. Turang has everything you would want at the top of the lineup as a lefthanded hitter who makes contact, puts the ball in play and creates pressure on the defense with his speed. He's gained about 10 pounds since being drafted and showed more pop at the plate, but most evaluators see him topping out at 10-15 home runs. Turang's speed helps him cover ground at shortstop, where his range and sure hands, combined with an average arm, should allow him to stay at that position. Opposing evaluators generally prefer Turang as a second baseman, where he played roughly one-third of his games in 2019, but the Brewers believe he can stick at shortstop and plan to develop him there. He plays the game hard and is something of a baseball gym rat. He has a solid pedigree as the son of former Mariners outfielder Brian Turang.
THE FUTURE: With Keston Hiura expected to be entrenched at second base in Milwaukee, the impetus is for Turang to develop as a shortstop. It's not easy to find shortstops with plus speed who profile as leadoff hitters, and the Brewers believe they have a good one in Turang. He will begin 2020 back at high Class A Carolina and could see Double-A Biloxi during the season if everything goes according to plan. -
Track Record: Turang put together a pristine amateur track record, starting all four years at Santiago High in Southern California's top division and starring for USA Baseball's 18U National Team in both 2016 and 2017. He was frequently mentioned as the possible No. 1 pick leading up to the 2018 draft and put together a solid senior year, but he fell short of sky-high expectations and fell victim to so-called prospect fatigue and slid to the Brewers at No. 21 overall. He signed for $3,411,100 at the deadline and passed up an opportunity to play at Louisiana State.
Scouting Report: Turang ranked among the more polished prep players as an advanced hitter with solid plate discipline and a gift for putting the ball in play to all fields. He takes a smooth, lefthanded stroke that covers the entire plate and lines the ball hard from line to line. His calling card is his speed, a plus tool that makes him a difference-maker on the bases and also a shortstop who covers vast expanses up the middle. Turang flashes sure hands and good footwork and a strong enough arm to remain at shortstop. The biggest knocks against him are his slight build, fringy strength and limited power potential. Turang is the son of former big league outfielder Brian Turang, and is a baseball gym rat who knows how to survive and play the game.
The Future: Turang has a chip on his shoulder after sliding down the draft. After batting .283 with a .396 on-base percentage at the Rookie levels, low Class A Wisconsin is next.
Draft Prospects
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Turang is one of the most famous prep players in the 2018 class and entered the draft cycle as the top high school player in the nation. A four-year varsity starter at Santiago (Corona, Calif.) High, Turang also played for USA Baseball's 18U National Team in 2016 and 2017, more than holding his own playing on the 2016 club that featured 2017 No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks Royce Lewis and Hunter Greene, respectively. In fact, you wouldn't have to search far to find a scout who said Turang was the best player on the team, despite the fact that Turang never played in the international tournament in Mexico after getting hit in the face by a pitch. Because of his exposure and history as a talented player at such a young age, teams have been somewhat disappointed with Turang since last summer. He's never struggled, but he's also never wowed scouts in the same way that he did as an underclassman. Even with that said, Turang was still voted a first-team Preseason All-American, the best pure hitter in the class, the best defensive infielder in the class with the second-best arm, and the No. 3 athlete in Baseball America's preseason survey to major league scouting directors. Turang is among the more polished prep players with an advanced left-handed hit tool and rarely swings and misses with a patient approach that allows him to hit the ball where it's pitched. Turang's loudest tool is his speed, which is at least plus and likely plus-plus, allowing him to wreak havoc on the bases and also cover a large swath of ground defensively. He can make throws from multiple angles, on the run, up the middle and in the hole, and also has the sure hands and footwork that should allow him to stay at the position at the next level. At just 6-foot-1, 165 pounds, the biggest knock on Turang is his size. Some teams are worried about the impact he'll make at the next level and don't anticipate him having much more than fringe-average raw power. While Turang might not be filling up a scout card with 6- and 7-grade tools, he does everything well, has a long track record of succeeding against elite competition and plays a premium position as a lefthanded hitter.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Another 2018 draftee to jump multiple levels in 2019, Turang impressed scouts and managers across the Midwest League in his first season. "In the infield, I really liked Brice a lot,” Peoria manager Erik Almonte said. "He was really good.” Working extensively at shortstop, the Brewers have also played Turang at second base on multiple occasions in hopes of expanding his infield versatility. Whether Turang will hold at shortstop has yet to be determined. "He plays hard,” one scout said. "He’s going to develop power, I think. He has a chance for plus-hit, some on-base skills and runs a bit, but it’s going to come down to how good a defensive player he is. He’s not going to produce runs, so he’s going to have to stop runs. Does he stay at shortstop? That’s a tough one.” Turang’s major league bloodlines give him a leg up in the realm of natural instincts, but ultimately he’ll need to take everything he does well and simply add polish to the right areas. -
The Brewers ambitiously sent the 19-year-old Turang to Carolina in early July after he hit .291/.388/.379 and stole 23 bases in 27 tries for low Class A Wisconsin. He continued to draw walks and steal bases with the Mudcats but struggled at the plate. Nevertheless, scouts remain high on the 21st pick from the 2018 draft. Turang, who signed for more than $3.4 million, made all the plays at shortstop in the Midwest League and the Carolina League. The Wisconsin staff raved about his character and makeup. Scouts say Turang has shown more pop since gaining 10 pounds last offseason. He knows the strike zone and drives the ball. He could be as good as a 70-grade runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. -
A well-known prospect on the high school circuit, Turang came as advertised during his brief Arizona League stint. Not flashy but instinctual on the field, Turang possesses at least solid-average tools across the board and projects to stay at shortstop. An above-average runner, he has good hands, an above-average arm, and his feet work well with a quick first step to the ball. At the plate, he makes good contact with a quick, compact swing and solid feel to hit. What impressed the Brewers’ staff was Turang’s mature attitude and willingness to learn. “He’s a good ballplayer that wants to get better,” Brewers manager Rafael Neda said. “From the time he got to Arizona he made the adjustments … he has the ability to make adjustments with the bat and the glove.” -
Turang started his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona League before finishing the season in Helena. A good contact hitter with a quick, compact swing and plus hit tool, Turang needs to get stronger to add more power to his game. He’s an above-average runner with an above-average arm, and he has good instincts and a quick first step to ground balls. He’s mature and advanced enough that he should be able to move quickly through the minor leagues, especially as his body gets stronger. “His baseball IQ is advanced for his age,” Helena manager Nestor Corredor said. “He’s very friendly, (a) good teammate (and) easy to coach. The good thing about him is that he was easy to coach the Brewers’ way .. he was willing to learn the newest stuff.” He projects as a solid regular who can remain at shortstop.
Top 100 Rankings
Best Tools List
- Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020
- Rated Best Hitter for Average in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020
- Rated Best Defensive Infielder in the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019
Scouting Reports
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BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Turang was a celebrated high school star who fell to the Brewers at No. 21 overall in the 2018 draft. He has touched every level of Milwaukee's system and spent 2022 in the Triple-A International League, where he was one of five players 22 or younger to qualify for the batting title. Turang ranked top 10 in the IL in hits, runs, stolen bases and walks.
Scouting Report: There's nothing flashy about Turang, who doesn't have one spectacular tool but is an athletic middle infielder and steady offensive performer. He recognizes pitches well, controls the strike zone and has good bat-to-ball skills with a flat swing geared to hit line drives around the park and also a low swing-and-miss rate in the zone. His Triple-A strikeout rate jumped from 15% in 2021 to 20% in 2022 as he focused on trying to do more damage in the air, with the tradeoff resulting in 13 home runs that more than doubled his previous high of six from 2021. Turang's offensive game will always center around his on-base skills more than his below-average power. Still, his max exit velocity has peaked at 110 mph, and he could one day hit 10-15 home runs. Evaluators most bullish on him believe he could surprise beyond those levels. A plus runner, Turang's defense has improved to the point that he is at least an average defender at shortstop, where he has good body control, instincts, hands and footwork to go with an average arm. With the composition of their major league roster, the Brewers also gave Turang some time in center field and second base, where he has a chance to develop into a plus defender.
The Future: Turang already has played 175 games at Triple-A, but the Brewers have Willy Adames locked in at shortstop and Kolten Wong for one more season at second base, so there isn't an obvious opening for Turang. He has the skills to handle shortstop but could end up as Wong's replacement.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Medium
Track Record: Turang was a celebrated high school star who fell to the Brewers at No. 21 overall in the 2018 draft. He has touched every level of Milwaukee's system and spent 2022 in the Triple-A International League, where he was one of five players 22 or younger to qualify for the batting title. Turang ranked top 10 in the IL in hits, runs, stolen bases and walks.
Scouting Report: There's nothing flashy about Turang, who doesn't have one spectacular tool but is an athletic middle infielder and steady offensive performer. He recognizes pitches well, controls the strike zone and has good bat-to-ball skills with a flat swing geared to hit line drives around the park and also a low swing-and-miss rate in the zone. His Triple-A strikeout rate jumped from 15% in 2021 to 20% in 2022 as he focused on trying to do more damage in the air, with the tradeoff resulting in 13 home runs that more than doubled his previous high of six from 2021. Turang's offensive game will always center around his on-base skills more than his below-average power. Still, his max exit velocity has peaked at 110 mph, and he could one day hit 10-15 home runs. Evaluators most bullish on him believe he could surprise beyond those levels. A plus runner, Turang's defense has improved to the point that he is at least an average defender at shortstop, where he has good body control, instincts, hands and footwork to go with an average arm. With the composition of their major league roster, the Brewers also gave Turang some time in center field and second base, where he has a chance to develop into a plus defender.
The Future: Turang already has played 175 games at Triple-A, but the Brewers have Willy Adames locked in at shortstop and Kolten Wong for one more season at second base, so there isn't an obvious opening for Turang. He has the skills to handle shortstop but could end up as Wong's replacement.
Scouting Grades: Hitting: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50 -
BA Grade: 55/High
Track Record: Turang had buzz as the potential top overall pick in the 2018 draft entering his senior year, but a middling season dropped him to the Brewers at No. 21 overall. Turang has rebounded to move quickly and reached Triple-A in 2021 as a 21-year-old, although he has yet to dominate at any level.
Scouting Report: Turang stands out for his athleticism, plus speed and ability to control the strike zone. He tracks and recognizes pitches well, doesn't chase much and makes frequent contact with a flat swing path from the left side geared to hit line drives to all fields. While Turang has gotten stronger, he still has a slender frame and below-average power. Turang whips the barrel through the zone well with good bat speed, but he will need to drive the ball with more impact moving forward. Some believe Turang can develop into a 15-20 home run hitter as he gets into his physical prime and learns which pitches he can pull, but others are skeptical he will get there. Turang's most noticeable strides have come on defense, where he has proven himself a reliable defender at shortstop. He has good anticipation, moves his hands and feet well and has good body control. While some previously thought Turang might end up at second base, he has quieted those concerns by showing improved range to his left and at least average arm strength.
The Future:.Turang has the talent to be an above-average regular if he adds power. If he doesn't, he may be more of a utilityman or a low-end regular. He will open 2022 back at Triple-A and could make his major league debut during the season.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 40. Speed: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
Track Record: Turang had buzz as the potential top overall pick in the 2018 draft entering his senior year, but a middling season dropped him to the Brewers at No. 21 overall. Turang has rebounded to move quickly and reached Triple-A in 2021 as a 21-year-old, though he has yet to dominate at any level.
Scouting Report: Turang stands out for his athleticism, plus speed and ability to control the strike zone. He tracks and recognizes pitches well, doesn’t chase much and makes frequent contact with a flat swing path from the left side geared to hit line drives to all fields. While Turang has gotten stronger, he still has a slender frame and below-average power. Turang whips the barrel through the zone well with good bat speed, but he will need to drive the ball with more impact moving forward. Some believe Turang can develop into a 15-20 home run hitter as he gets into his physical prime and learns which pitches he can pull, but others are skeptical he will get there. Turang’s most noticeable strides have come on defense, where he has proven himself a reliable defender at shortstop. He has good anticipation, moves his hands and feet well and has good body control. While some previously thought Turang might end up at second base, he has quieted those concerns by showing improved range to his left and at least average arm strength.
The Future: Turang has the talent to be an above-average regular if he adds power. If he doesn’t, he may be more of a utilityman or a low-end regular. He will open 2022 back at Triple-A and could make his major league debut during the season.
-
Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Turang became well known in scouting circles early in his high school years, playing for USA Baseball's 15U National Team in 2014. He put himself in the conversation among the top prep hitters in the country, winning a gold medal for Team USA and making the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup in 2017. Turang didn't quite meet the high expectations scouts had for him as a senior and slid down the first round to the Brewers, who drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $3.411 million. In his first full season in 2019, Turang hit well in the low Class A Midwest League, though he struggled after a promotion to high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old. With the 2020 season wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic, Turang reported to the team's alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers' best hitter and started to drive the ball with more impact.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang consistently puts together quality at-bats with his sharp eye for the strike zone and sweet lefthanded swing. He's a patient hitter who doesn't chase much off the plate and drew walks 15% of the time in 2019. He has a calm, balanced swing with good bat-to-ball skills and stays through the ball, leading to an all-fields, line-drive approach. The knock on Turang coming into 2020 was his well below-average power, which got exposed once the Brewers promoted him to the Carolina League. Turang did a better job of driving the ball with more authority in Appleton. The Brewers kept an internal “barrel” board of hitters with exit velocities of 95 mph or better at the alternate site, and Turang was consistently among the leaders throughout the summer. Turang didn't change his swing, but he added strength and adjusted his approach in favorable counts to drive the ball for more damage. He still doesn't project as a big power threat, but optimistic evaluators now think 15-20 home runs in his prime is feasible. Turang is a plus runner who has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He has a solid chance to stay at shortstop, where his hands and feet work well. He's adept at charging in on the ball and ranging toward second base, and he has worked to improve his throws from the hole with his average arm strength.
THE FUTURE: If Turang can continue to show the uptick in his hard-hit rate, he has the components to be an on-base threat who can hit toward the top of a lineup. After what he showed at the alternate training site, he should be ready to jump to Double-A in 2021. -
Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Turang became well known in scouting circles early in his high school years, playing for USA Baseball’s 15U National Team in 2014. He put himself in the conversation among the top prep hitters in the country, winning a gold medal for Team USA and making the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup in 2017. Turang didn’t quite meet the high expectations scouts had for him as a senior and slid down the first round to the Brewers, who drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $3.411 million. In his first full season in 2019, Turang hit well in the low Class A Midwest League, though he struggled after a promotion to high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old. With the 2020 season wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic, Turang reported to the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers’ best hitter and started to drive the ball with more impact.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang consistently puts together quality at-bats with his sharp eye for the strike zone and sweet lefthanded swing. He’s a patient hitter who doesn’t chase much off the plate and drew walks 15% of the time in 2019. He has a calm, balanced swing with good bat-to-ball skills and stays through the ball, leading to an all-fields, line-drive approach. The knock on Turang coming into 2020 was his well below-average power, which got exposed once the Brewers promoted him to the Carolina League. Turang did a better job of driving the ball with more authority in Appleton. The Brewers kept an internal “barrel” board of hitters with exit velocities of 95 mph or better at the alternate site, and Turang was consistently among the leaders throughout the summer. Turang didn’t change his swing, but he added strength and adjusted his approach in favorable counts to drive the ball for more damage. He still doesn’t project as a big power threat, but optimistic evaluators now think 15-20 home runs in his prime is feasible. Turang is a plus runner who has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He has a solid chance to stay at shortstop, where his hands and feet work well. He’s adept at charging in on the ball and ranging toward second base, and he has worked to improve his throws from the hole with his average arm strength.
THE FUTURE: If Turang can continue to show the uptick in his hard-hit rate, he has the components to be an on-base threat who can hit toward the top of a lineup. After what he showed at the alternate training site, he should be ready to jump to Double-A in 2021. -
Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Turang became well known in scouting circles early in his high school years, playing for USA Baseball’s 15U National Team in 2014. He put himself in the conversation among the top prep hitters in the country, winning a gold medal for Team USA and making the all-tournament team at the U-18 World Cup in 2017. Turang didn’t quite meet the high expectations scouts had for him as a senior and slid down the first round to the Brewers, who drafted him 21st overall and signed him for $3.411 million. In his first full season in 2019, Turang hit well in the low Class A Midwest League, though he struggled after a promotion to high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old. With the 2020 season wiped out due to the coronavirus pandemic, Turang reported to the team’s alternate training site in Appleton, Wis., where he was the Brewers’ best hitter and started to drive the ball with more impact.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang consistently puts together quality at-bats with his sharp eye for the strike zone and sweet lefthanded swing. He’s a patient hitter who doesn’t chase much off the plate and drew walks 15% of the time in 2019. He has a calm, balanced swing with good bat-to-ball skills and stays through the ball, leading to an all-fields, line-drive approach. The knock on Turang coming into 2020 was his well below-average power, which got exposed once the Brewers promoted him to the Carolina League. Turang did a better job of driving the ball with more authority in Appleton. The Brewers kept an internal “barrel” board of hitters with exit velocities of 95 mph or better at the alternate site, and Turang was consistently among the leaders throughout the summer. Turang didn’t change his swing, but he added strength and adjusted his approach in favorable counts to drive the ball for more damage. He still doesn’t project as a big power threat, but optimistic evaluators now think 15-20 home runs in his prime is feasible. Turang is a plus runner who has shown good instincts on the basepaths. He has a solid chance to stay at shortstop, where his hands and feet work well. He’s adept at charging in on the ball and ranging toward second base, and he has worked to improve his throws from the hole with his average arm strength.
THE FUTURE: If Turang can continue to show the uptick in his hard-hit rate, he has the components to be an on-base threat who can hit toward the top of a lineup. After what he showed at the alternate training site, he should be ready to jump to Double-A in 2021. -
TRACK RECORD: A star for USA Baseball in high school, Turang was viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2018 class for several years in the leadup to the draft. But instead of being in consideration for the first pick, Turang ended up sliding significantly. Turang became a victim of so-called “prospect fatigue.” The Brewers went well over slot to sign him for $3,411,100 and keep him from a Louisiana State commitment. Turang immediately hit at two Rookie levels after signing and continued to perform in his first full season. He earned Midwest League all-star honors at low Class A Wisconsin and finished the year at high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang’s most obvious offensive skills are his plate discipline and ability to put the ball in play. He walked 83 times in 2019, compared to 101 strikeouts, and profiles as a leadoff hitter with his plus speed and on-base skills. Turang gets the most from his plus speed as a savvy baserunner. He stole 30 bases in 35 attempts at his two Class A stops and projects to keep his speed as he ages because of his thin frame and long legs. Turang has everything you would want at the top of the lineup as a lefthanded hitter who makes contact, puts the ball in play and creates pressure on the defense with his speed. He’s gained about 10 pounds since being drafted and showed more pop at the plate, but most evaluators see him topping out at 10-15 home runs. Turang’s speed helps him cover ground at shortstop, where his range and sure hands, combined with an average arm, should allow him to stay at that position. Opposing evaluators generally prefer Turang as a second baseman, where he played roughly one-third of his games in 2019, but the Brewers believe he can stick at shortstop and plan to develop him there. He plays the game hard and is something of a baseball gym rat. He has a solid pedigree as the son of former Mariners outfielder Brian Turang.
THE FUTURE: With Keston Hiura expected to be entrenched at second base in Milwaukee, the impetus is for Turang to develop as a shortstop. It’s not easy to find shortstops with plus speed who profile as leadoff hitters, and the Brewers believe they have a good one in Turang. He will begin 2020 back at high Class A Carolina and could see Double-A Biloxi during the season if everything goes according to plan. SCOUTING GRADES Hit: 55. Power: 40. Run: 60. Field: 55. Arm: 50. BA GRADE 55 Risk: High -
TRACK RECORD: A star for USA Baseball in high school, Turang was viewed as one of the best prospects in the 2018 class for several years in the leadup to the draft. But instead of being in consideration for the first pick, Turang ended up sliding significantly. Turang became a victim of so-called “prospect fatigue.” The Brewers went well over slot to sign him for $3,411,100 and keep him from a Louisiana State commitment. Turang immediately hit at two Rookie levels after signing and continued to perform in his first full season. He earned Midwest League all-star honors at low Class A Wisconsin and finished the year at high Class A Carolina as a 19-year-old.
SCOUTING REPORT: Turang's most obvious offensive skills are his plate discipline and ability to put the ball in play. He walked 83 times in 2019, compared to 101 strikeouts, and profiles as a leadoff hitter with his plus speed and on-base skills. Turang gets the most from his plus speed as a savvy baserunner. He stole 30 bases in 35 attempts at his two Class A stops and projects to keep his speed as he ages because of his thin frame and long legs. Turang has everything you would want at the top of the lineup as a lefthanded hitter who makes contact, puts the ball in play and creates pressure on the defense with his speed. He's gained about 10 pounds since being drafted and showed more pop at the plate, but most evaluators see him topping out at 10-15 home runs. Turang's speed helps him cover ground at shortstop, where his range and sure hands, combined with an average arm, should allow him to stay at that position. Opposing evaluators generally prefer Turang as a second baseman, where he played roughly one-third of his games in 2019, but the Brewers believe he can stick at shortstop and plan to develop him there. He plays the game hard and is something of a baseball gym rat. He has a solid pedigree as the son of former Mariners outfielder Brian Turang.
THE FUTURE: With Keston Hiura expected to be entrenched at second base in Milwaukee, the impetus is for Turang to develop as a shortstop. It's not easy to find shortstops with plus speed who profile as leadoff hitters, and the Brewers believe they have a good one in Turang. He will begin 2020 back at high Class A Carolina and could see Double-A Biloxi during the season if everything goes according to plan. -
The Brewers ambitiously sent the 19-year-old Turang to Carolina in early July after he hit .291/.388/.379 and stole 23 bases in 27 tries for low Class A Wisconsin. He continued to draw walks and steal bases with the Mudcats but struggled at the plate. Nevertheless, scouts remain high on the 21st pick from the 2018 draft. Turang, who signed for more than $3.4 million, made all the plays at shortstop in the Midwest League and the Carolina League. The Wisconsin staff raved about his character and makeup. Scouts say Turang has shown more pop since gaining 10 pounds last offseason. He knows the strike zone and drives the ball. He could be as good as a 70-grade runner on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. -
Another 2018 draftee to jump multiple levels in 2019, Turang impressed scouts and managers across the Midwest League in his first season. "In the infield, I really liked Brice a lot,” Peoria manager Erik Almonte said. "He was really good.” Working extensively at shortstop, the Brewers have also played Turang at second base on multiple occasions in hopes of expanding his infield versatility. Whether Turang will hold at shortstop has yet to be determined. "He plays hard,” one scout said. "He’s going to develop power, I think. He has a chance for plus-hit, some on-base skills and runs a bit, but it’s going to come down to how good a defensive player he is. He’s not going to produce runs, so he’s going to have to stop runs. Does he stay at shortstop? That’s a tough one.” Turang’s major league bloodlines give him a leg up in the realm of natural instincts, but ultimately he’ll need to take everything he does well and simply add polish to the right areas. -
Turang started his pro career in the Rookie-level Arizona League before finishing the season in Helena. A good contact hitter with a quick, compact swing and plus hit tool, Turang needs to get stronger to add more power to his game. He’s an above-average runner with an above-average arm, and he has good instincts and a quick first step to ground balls. He’s mature and advanced enough that he should be able to move quickly through the minor leagues, especially as his body gets stronger. “His baseball IQ is advanced for his age,” Helena manager Nestor Corredor said. “He’s very friendly, (a) good teammate (and) easy to coach. The good thing about him is that he was easy to coach the Brewers’ way .. he was willing to learn the newest stuff.” He projects as a solid regular who can remain at shortstop.
Career Transactions
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Milwaukee Brewers activated SS Brice Turang.
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Milwaukee Brewers optioned SS Brice Turang to Nashville Sounds.
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Milwaukee Brewers optioned SS Brice Turang to Nashville Sounds.
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SS Brice Turang, , and changed number to 0.
