Rowdy Tellez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #29 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Tellez had a big year as a 21-year-old with Double-A New Hampshire in 2016, when he ranked second in the Eastern League in on-base percentage and third in slugging. He followed it up with a brutal 2017 season in Triple-A Buffalo, then bounced back with a solid year while repeating the level in 2018. He made his major league debut as a September callup, performing well in very limited at-bats.
  
  Scouting Report: Tellez has flashed the components to be a middle-of-the-order bat, though it's come with roller-coaster performance. He has plus power, generating his thump more from physical strength than pure bat speed. His timing at the plate was better in 2018 than it was the previous year, and he doesn't punch out a ton. Though he got more aggressive when called up to Toronto, Tellez generally sticks with a patient plan at the plate. He's a below-average athlete and runner, and while he did make progress defensively last year, he's still below-average fielder.
  
  The Future: If everything breaks right for Tellez, he could develop into a player along the lines of Lucas Duda, but there's also risk he could top out as a 4-A slugger.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #21 prospect in 2018
  Tellez's combination of patience and power led to strong numbers throughout the lower levels. His skill set started to translate when he got to the upper levels as well, as he ranked second in the Double-A Eastern League in on-base percentage and third in slugging in 2016. He hit a wall last year when he got to Triple-A, where he started slowly and never was able to climb out of the hole. Tellez has a middle-opposite field approach, lift in his swing and above-average raw power. His bat speed is fair at best, though, and he looked out of rhythm and out of sync all season. Tellez has a heavy frame and isn't a great athlete, with below-average defense at first base. Tellez's track record up until Triple-A can't be ignored, so it's possible he could bounce back in 2018, although some scouts see him as more of a 4-A slugger. The Blue Jays didn't want to risk losing him in the Rule 5 draft, so they protected him on the 40-man roster after the season. He will return to Triple-A in 2018.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #7 prospect in 2017
  Tellez played with future pros J.D. Davis (Astros), Dom Nunez (Rockies), Derek Hill (Tigers 2014 first-rounder) and Dylan Carlson (Cardinals 2016 first-rounder) at Elk Grove High before signing for $850,000, the largest bonus in the Blue Jays' 2013 draft class. He had a strong 2016, ranking second in the Double-A Eastern League in on-base percentage (.387) and third in slugging (.530). A slow start (.164 in April) tested Tellez's confidence, but he turned up his aggressiveness and rallied, hitting .318 the rest of the way. He has improved his body significantly since signing, losing 15 pounds. Scouts laud his makeup for his dedication to his fitness, which also has helped improve his power production. Tellez always has shown feel for hitting and good control for the strike zone, and he's got plus power to punish mistakes when pitchers miss. He chased plenty of breaking balls early but adjusted and started laying off them, and he has enough bat speed to catch up to good fastballs. Tellez is a fringy defender with good enough footwork to improve to average. Tellez is the most advanced hitter among top Toronto farmhands and could hit his way to the majors in 2017, depending on how the Blue Jays' offseason shapes up. More likely, he'll head to Triple-A Buffalo.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #7 prospect in 2016
  While the Blue Jays failed to sign first-rounder Phil Bickford in 2013, they already had made some above-slot signings later in the draft, including Tellez. His $850,000 was the largest bonus in their class this year, and he'd moved slowly until 2015. He earned a midseason promotion to high Class A Dunedin, where his season ended in early August due to a hamate injury. Tellez combines feel for hitting and power potential in a burly body that he'll have to continually monitor, as he's prone to get big. He works at it, though, and club officials like that Tellez derives motivation from the criticism and plays with an edge. He has a feel for the barrel and using the whole field, with natural strength to drive the ball to the opposite field and not just pull power. He's aggressive but not to a fault, starting to trust his hands and hang in better against lefthanders. Tellez remains raw defensively and won't remind anyone of Keith Hernandez but has worked to improve and should be a fringe-average defender in time, though his poor speed could make him a baseclogger in time. Tellez was the bright spot of Toronto's Arizona Fall League contingent after returning from his hand injury, hitting .293/.352/.488 with four homers. He should be ready for Double-A and profiles as a second-division first baseman who could become a first-division player if his power keeps developing.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #30 prospect in 2015
  The Blue Jays signed Tellez for second-round money ($850,000) as a 30th-round pick in 2013, after failing to sign first-rounder Phil Bickford. Nearly all of Tellez's value will come from a bat that has the potential to make him a middle-of-the-order presence, if he hits enough to allow his plus-plus raw power to play. He took a hit-first approach in 2014, rarely swinging and missing in the strike zone. He has loose hands at the plate, with a quick lefthanded stroke that features natural extension and loft. When Tellez gets pull-happy, his swing gets long, but he has lowered his hands in his load and reduced his bat wrap, making his swing more compact. A well below-average runner with limited range and athleticism at first base, he will continue working on his fringe-average defense. His body will require continued maintenance as well. Expect Tellez to return to Lansing in 2015.
• 
  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #18 prospect in 2014
  Although he was selected in the 30th round, Tellez signed for an $850,000 bonus in last year's draft, commensurate to late second-round money and the highest bonus in the Jays draft. With some of the best lefthanded power in last year's draft class, Tellez has the potential to become an impact middle-of-the order hitter. He has an extra-large frame, broad shoulders and a powerful lower half. With natural loft in his swing, Tellez has plus-plus raw power, can drive the ball out to all fields and displays stunning power to his pull side. His quick hands, above-average bat speed and strong hand-eye coordination give him a chance to reach that power in games with a potentially above-average hit tool. He excels at driving balls to the opposite field and has a patient approach that should give him above-average walk rates. Tellez, a well-below average runner with an average arm, could become an average defensive first baseman with adequate range. He has worked hard to get in good shape but will always have to focus on conditioning. Tellez is a bat-first player who will have to hit to provide value and he will likely begin doing that in 2014 at Rookie-level Bluefield.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #59 prospect in 2013 draft
  Though his given name is Ryan, Tellez earned his nickname as a baby and it's fitting for the best lefthanded power bat in this year's class. He beat Clint Frazier in the Perfect Game National Showcase home run derby on the showcase circuit last summer and impressed scouts by hitting two home runs over the scoreboard at Blair Field in Long Beach, Calif., in a preseason game this spring. But even with his prodigious power, Tellez isn't just a big lefthanded slugger. Scouts are also impressed with his feel for hitting. He has a patient approach at the plate and excellent hand-eye coordination, rarely swinging and missing. He keeps his hands back, tracks pitches well and drives offspeed pitches to the opposite field with ease. Tellez has worked hard to tighten up his body and moves well for a player 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds. He has played in the outfield this spring and has an average arm, but profiles as a solid first baseman. Tellez is committed to Southern California, but will be drafted high enough to forgo that commitment.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2017

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: Tellez played with future pros J.D. Davis (Astros), Dom Nunez (Rockies), Derek Hill (Tigers 2014 first-rounder) and Dylan Carlson (Cardinals 2016 first-rounder) at Elk Grove High before signing for $850,000, the largest bonus in the Blue Jays' 2013 draft class. He had a strong 2016, ranking second in the Double-A Eastern League in on-base percentage (.387) and third in slugging (.530). Scouting Report: A slow start (.164 in April) tested Tellez's confidence, but he turned up his aggressiveness and rallied, hitting .318 the rest of the way. He has improved his body significantly since signing, losing 15 pounds. Scouts laud his makeup for his dedication to his fitness, which also has helped improve his power production. Tellez always has shown feel for hitting and good control for the strike zone, and he's got plus power to punish mistakes when pitchers miss. He chased plenty of breaking balls early but adjusted and started laying off them, and he has enough bat speed to catch up to good fastballs. Tellez is a fringy defender with good enough footwork to improve to average.
  
  The Future: Tellez is the most advanced hitter among top Toronto farmhands and could hit his way to the majors in 2017, depending on how the Blue Jays' offseason shapes up. More likely, he'll head to Triple-A Buffalo.