Ex-Dunedin High Star Pitching Through the Minors

If the day comes for Erik and to share a baseball field, ideally in the Major Leagues, Erik hopes they'll be wearing the same uniform.

After all, things didn't go well for him when they were opponents.

Erik, six years older than Casey, didn't enjoy the first and only time he faced his brother. Fooling around the day before leaving for spring training with the New York Mets, the elder Turgeon thought he would teach Casey a lesson.

"I was trying for a confidence builder and my little brother with a wood bat is short-hopping [the] right-center field [fence] on me," Erik said. "I'm playing professional ball, and he's a sophomore in high school. That was tough to swallow. Everyone was laughing, but I wasn't too happy. He's always been the best player on the field."

Both  grads have done well at the sport they grew up playing. Erik, now pitching with the Double-A Binghamton Mets in the Eastern League, spent three years at the University of Connecticut and was drafted in 2008 by the New York Mets, in the 25th round.

Casey, the Falcons' all-time hit leader, graduated in June 2011 and was picked in the 22nd round, also by the Mets. He would've been selected much higher, but he already committed to the University of Florida, a move Erik supports.

"It's a maturity thing," said Erik, who also chose school. "In college, you grow up with kids who are the same age, and you get to enjoy the experience. The big thing is that you start figuring stuff out for yourself. If you're around men [in the minors], it's a job."

Always looking out for his younger brother, Erik is also trying to watch his own career. A converted infielder, Turgeon advanced as high as Triple-A Buffalo, working 1/3 of an inning for the Buffalo Bisons.

The remaining 36 1/3 innings have been spent in varying relief roles with the B-Mets. The righty has a 4.95 ERA and four saves in 29 appearances, allowing 45 hits and seven walks, while striking out 24.

"I'll do whatever they need me to do, pitch early, late, whenever," he said. "The biggest thing is having a short memory and not letting the bad outings linger. Otherwise, it can snowball on you."

This was obvious in a June 7 and 8 matchup against Harrisburg. Turgeon worked a scoreless ninth inning for a save, a day after absorbing a loss with a five-run shelling.

Turgeon's development received the added benefit of having worked out with fellow Florida residents Dee Gordon, Chris Coghlan and Matt LaPorta, each of whom have spent time in the Majors. He also hones his pitching during the offseason by working out with Chicago White Sox pitcher Gavin Floyd, who has a home in nearby Clearwater.

"We've worked out together for the past 2 1/2 years," Turgeon said. "I learned a lot picking his brain. I feel good about where I'm at and what I'm learning. And coming out of the bullpen, it's really about about how hard you can throw. It's about how many times can you hit the bottom of the zone."

And if possible, don't face Casey.

"I'll buzz him next time," Turgeon said, with a laugh. "He won't have a chance to swing it. It's better that way."