Kyle Teel is nicely positioned as Boston’s catcher of the long run. Drafted 14th general by the Purple Sox out of the College of Virginia final summer time, the backstop, who turned 22 final week, enters his first full skilled season because the fifth-ranked prospect in Boston’s farm system and no. 80 on our Prime 100. In line with our lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen, Teel “presents a well-rounded general profile” that features “a wonderful offensive résumé.”
His 2023 numbers have been definitely exemplary. Teel slashed .407/.475/.655 with 13 residence runs in his junior 12 months at UVA, serving to earn him first-team All-American accolades and rocketing him up draft boards. Upon reaching professional ball, his left-handed stroke produced a .363/.483/.495 slash line and a 173 wRC+ in 114 plate appearances throughout three minor league ranges, his final cease being Double-A Portland.
Protection is, after all, a serious accountability for catchers. Final month, when Teel was at Fenway Park for Boston’s rookie growth program, I spoke with him about his preparation and setup behind the plate, his throwing, and his offensive profile.
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David Laurila: Catching is a science in addition to an artwork. With that in thoughts, what position does knowledge play in what you do defensively?
Kyle Teel: “I actually like knowledge relating to how pitchers’ stuff strikes, and warmth maps on what to throw to sure guys at sure occasions. That’s clearly helpful, however there may be additionally nothing like the texture of the sport. You should be utilizing your eyes and seeing what you’ll be able to absorb, within the second. However the knowledge is certainly essential. Earlier than each recreation, I take a look at what pitchers prefer to throw, their tendencies in sure counts, and issues like that. That’s each as a catcher and once I’m hitting.”
Laurila: Do you suppose like a catcher if you’re within the batter’s field?
Teel: “I sort of do. There are advantages to doing that, simply figuring out how pitchers work and what guys are likely to throw in sure counts. General, I’d say that having a superb really feel on the plate and calling pitches could be very comparable.”
Laurila: How do you steadiness knowledge and instincts?
Teel: “Defensively, I feel intuition is crucial. On the similar time, with the ability to mix the 2 to create the elite pitch-caller is what I’m actually striving for. Studying knowledge — learning the way it works — will assist me towards that objective.”
Laurila: Did you get to name pitches in school?
Teel: “I didn’t, though there have been occasions the place I may change the pitch if I didn’t prefer it. Personally, I didn’t have any points with [not calling the game], partially as a result of I’m totally assured in my calling skills. Plus, our coach at Virginia did an awesome job. He was additionally actually good at learning knowledge and analytics. He’s a former skilled pitcher — his title is Drew Dickerson — so seeing how he would name the sport actually helped me. I may take lots from what he did.”
Laurila: You being behind the plate, and him being a former pitcher watching from the dugout, makes for an fascinating dynamic. The view, if not the perspective, is sort of totally different…
Teel: “That’s why if I noticed one thing I used to be capable of relay that to him and alter a pitch at occasions. It’s why I feel the dynamic between us labored so nicely.”
Laurila: How essential is watching the hitter and studying his swings?
Teel: “I try to take a look at it in probably the most simplistic means attainable. If a hitter is up on the plate, it’s going to be laborious for him to hit an inside pitch. You’re not simply taking a look at general tendencies. You possibly can create vulnerabilities, and I attempt to discover these vulnerabilities.”
Laurila: Based mostly in your brief time in professional ball, how totally different is the teaching in comparison with what you expertise in school?
Teel: “I’d say it’s very comparable, to be trustworthy. Matt Kirby, our catching coach at Virginia, has a really skilled means of how he goes about his enterprise. He’s very element oriented. Every thing could be very detailed right here as nicely. We go about our enterprise in a lot the identical means.”
Laurila: How do you arrange behind the plate?
Teel: “I’m a left-knee-down man, and I am going to 2 ft if a runner steals. Rising up, and even now, you discover individuals who don’t perceive why catchers are on one knee. It lets you be in higher positions to drag strikes and get in entrance of balls. It makes catching lots simpler, general. That was the largest step I’ve taken in my growth, going from a two-feet man to a one-knee catcher. I did that my sophomore 12 months of school — it was coach Kirby’s concept — and whereas I used to be somewhat hesitant at first, I stored at it and it ended up benefiting me a ton.”
Laurila: What are your pop occasions?
Teel: “I attempt to be beneath a 2.0 each time. I need to be as quick as I can and as constant as I can.”
Laurila: You get excessive marks to your athleticism. I assume you’re on board with that evaluation?
Teel: “Sure. I’d say I’m an athlete. I’ve at all times been excited by different sports activities. I performed soccer rising up and was a quarterback — a working quarterback, however we might additionally throw the ball lots.”
Laurila: You’re not all that massive for a quarterback…
Teel: “No. I’m 6-foot-1 and proper now about 210 [pounds].”
Laurila: Is that a really perfect weight for you?
Teel: “I’m not likely centered on my weight. My coach again residence, Mike Guadango, and I’ve actually simply centered on my energy and velocity coaching. No matter weight comes together with that’s what comes together with that. I simply need to be robust for the season.”
Laurila: My understanding is that your offensive profile is presently extra contact than energy. The place do you’re feeling you’re by way of energy?
Teel: “I’d say that my energy will showcase as time goes on. That’s one thing I’m persevering with to develop. I’ve been engaged on getting behind the ball somewhat extra, and seeking to carry it somewhat bit greater than I did in school. On the similar time, I don’t need to take away [from] my … bat-to-ball abilities. That’s a giant a part of what’s made me a superb hitter.”