PORTLAND, Maine — Roman Anthony remembers issues being considerably stagnant within the Greenville Drive clubhouse. The Red Sox High-A affiliate was 53-49 and had gone 4-7 in its prior 11 video games, and the vibe across the membership was form of low.
Then, on Aug. 8, high Red Sox draft decide Kyle Teel was referred to as up from rookie ball, and instantly every part modified.
“It seemed like this guy came in and brought the energy that we needed,” mentioned Anthony, considered one of Boston’s high prospects. “He’s clicked with every guy in every clubhouse, he’s really an awesome dude and he’s the type of guy you want to be around.”
A extremely regarded catcher out of the University of Virginia, Teel was chosen No. 14 general by the Red Sox in July’s MLB Draft and has made a right away impression since debuting with the group final month. The 21-year-old took off like a rocket in Greenville and was promoted once more alongside Anthony to Double-A Portland barely three weeks later.
Entering Sunday Teel had batted .363 with two dwelling runs, 22 RBI and practically as many walks (21) as strikeouts (22) by means of his first 26 skilled video games. He’s already ranked because the No. 82 prospect in all of baseball based on MLB Pipeline, and past his gaudy stats, coaches and teammates agree considered one of Teel’s finest qualities is his infectious power and constructive vibe.
“This guy, I’m telling you, you listen to him and when he’s talking baseball it’s genuine,” mentioned Portland Sea Dogs supervisor Chad Epperson. “I look forward every day to listening to him chat on the field and off the field.”
Epperson mentioned Teel is at all times chirping on the sector, however his discuss can be backed up by substance and a stage of data that belies his inexperience. Beyond his abilities as a fielder, Epperson mentioned considered one of Teel’s Most worthy expertise is his potential to attach along with his pitchers, even ones he’s by no means labored with earlier than.
“Catching is one thing and then to catch guys you’ve never caught before is another, and he has not been overmatched at all with any of these new guys he’s catching,” Epperson mentioned. “Not only is he handling them but he’s taking charge in game and pregame and in the meetings, which is nice to see.”
Teel’s had a knack for bringing his teammates collectively within the clubhouse and away from the sector too, and one of many methods he’s completed that’s by means of his musical expertise.
“Sometimes I’ll break out the DJ board for a postgame win, it’s pretty fun in the locker room. I like to play guitar sometimes, just a good thing to do on my own,” Teel mentioned, including that his favourite tune to play is “Sister Golden Hair” by America. “It’s been hard just because I’ve been moving around so much but whenever I get a good opportunity to stop at a Guitar Center or play on my computer with my DJ stuff, it’s been a lot of fun.”
“He’s pretty talented! He’s really good with the guitar, he can sing a little bit, he’s a legit DJ, he can spin it,” Anthony mentioned. “He brings the energy. He’d DJ for us for us after some wins in Greenville in the clubhouse and he would DJ for us back at the apartment. He’s super entertaining and he’s just fun to be around.”
Portland’s season formally got here to an finish on Sunday, which suggests Teel will now shift his focus to the offseason and start preparations for his first full 12 months as a professional. He plans to spend time along with his household earlier than specializing in getting stronger and quicker, whereas additionally constructing on the teachings he’s discovered by means of his preliminary two-month introduction to minor league baseball.
“I’ve been loving it, just playing at these pro stadiums has been awesome,” Teel mentioned. “Then you have the competition, which has been really great. It’s been a lot of fun.”
The Red Sox are little doubt excited by what they’ve already seen from Teel, and if nothing else he’s already proven he has sure traits you simply can’t educate.
Source: www.bostonherald.com