Rowdy Tellez, the first baseman for the Seattle Mariners, believes that he doesn’t embody the vibrant nature of his name, stating, “I wouldn’t say I’m an interesting person.”
Rowdy Tellez is making a challenging decision for the Seattle Mariners
While he may have a point about the first claim, we diverge from his opinion on the second. After listening to his chat on Seattle Sports’ Brock and Salk show, it’s clear that Tellez is quite engaging. He is refreshingly honest, insightful, and has a good sense of humor.
Additionally, Tellez brings another intriguing aspect to the table: his impressive hitting ability. He hit 35 home runs in 2022 for the Milwaukee Brewers, and despite a couple of less stellar seasons afterward, he still managed to hit 13 homers each year. If he can channel that power with the Mariners after signing a minor league contract, he’s sure to capture the attention of Seattle fans.
A Full Circle Moment?
The 30-year-old Tellez is making a compelling case for a spot on Seattle’s opening day roster, which would be a significant moment for him. Before being selected in the 30th round of the 2013 MLB Draft, he only visited one big league stadium prior.
“I really like the organization,” Tellez shared. “It was the only pre-draft workout I did, where I flew up to Safeco Field in 2013 and showcased my skills in front of the Mariners’ executives – I really fell in love with the place.”
His Journey and Strategy
Tellez faced challenges during the 2023 season, playing just 103 games with Milwaukee due to a forearm injury. He shared how his difficulties continued into his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he ended up overcompensating.
“I think I started last season trying to do too much, aiming to make up for my injuries, which ultimately backfired,” he said. While he concluded the previous season with a .243/.299/.392 slash line, he improved significantly from June onward, achieving a .277/.330/.478 slash line and hitting 12 homers in that span.
Staying Focused
“The key was about keeping it simple; I focused on hitting the ball hard without overthinking,” Tellez explained. His objective remained straightforward: “Just find the barrel,” he stated. With consistent hard-hit balls, he felt his chances of success would improve.
Current Performance and Personal Reflections
Tellez is off to a solid start this spring, posting a .268/.295/.537 slash line in 15 Cactus League games, including three home runs. When discussing his personality, Tellez remarked on how he doesn’t view himself as particularly rowdy, saying, “I’m rather calm and a homebody. I enjoy making jokes, but I wouldn’t classify myself as interesting.”
Connections and Future Prospects
Tellez has limited connections with his new Mariners teammates, but he notably knows shortstop J.P. Crawford from their high school days in Southern California. He also played alongside pitcher Trent Thornton with the Toronto Blue Jays and had interactions with other players during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
You can listen to the full conversation between Rowdy Tellez and Brock and Salk via the podcast here. Tune into Brock and Salk weekdays, from 6-10 a.m. on Seattle Sports.
