Junior second baseman Colby Turner only needed two years with the Michigan baseball team to make an impact. Appearing in all but one of the Wolverines’ games in 2026, Turner’s long list of accolades includes All-Midwest team and third-team All American honors. He led Michigan in nearly every offensive statistic, contributing nearly a third of the Wolverines’ total home runs. But after rising to the fourth-best batting average in the Big Ten in 2026, Turner aims to take his career to the next phase.
On Sunday, the Minnesota Twins gave him the opportunity to do just that, selecting Turner in Round 12 at No. 347 overall in the MLB Draft.
Turner spent one year at San Diego State University prior to joining Michigan. There, he won Mountain West Freshman of the Week honors five times. He immediately cemented himself as a starter for the Wolverines in his sophomore year, providing key offensive power in high-stakes situations. Turner primarily saw playing time in the outfield and at designated hitter.
But his versatility began to show early in the 2026 season. Turner began in the outfield, but was stationed across the infield before settling at second base. He recorded 90 putouts and 109 assists, consistently supporting his teammates defensively from the middle infield. Whether Michigan needed a quick out or a two-homer game, Turner delivered. Listed as a third baseman at the 2026 Draft Combine, Turner will likely continue to offer flexibility as a position player professionally.
It’s difficult to understate how influential Turner was at the plate in all three years of his collegiate career, but it’s also undeniable that he truly flourished in his junior year. While he slashed .238/.347/.427 in his sophomore year with the Wolverines, matching his production from his year with the Aztecs, he improved to a .366/.432 /.625 line by the end of the 2026 season. His junior year production made him the fourth-best hitter and ninth-best slugger in the Big Ten and Michigan’s sole first-team All-Big Ten selection.
Turner’s collegiate career is memorable for its flashiest moments: A sweep-clinching web gem or four-hit game, for example. But the Twins selected an all-around athlete who promises a consistently powerful presence — whether it’s at the plate, in the outfield or around the infield.
