Position: 1B
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 270 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/L
Born: 03/16/1995
High School: Elk Grove (CA) HS
Drafted: 30th Round, 895th Overall, 2013 (Blue Jays)
How Acquired: Free Agent
Bonus: $850,000
40-man Roster: Yes
Rule 5 Eligible: N/A
Minor League Free Agency: N/A
Options Left: 1
Overview
Tellez signed for an above-slot bonus as a prep draftee in 2013. He’s a very large first baseman whose main asset is power. As a major leaguer, he’s shown significant power at times, but hasn’t hit for average and draws walks at only a fair rate. His strikeout rates have been high but not off-the-charts, as is so often the case in today’s game. He’s had only a moderate platoon split but has been platooned much of the time anyway. He ranks near the bottom of MLB in speed, arm strength and defense. Even in his 35-HR season in 2022, he compiled only 0.8 fWAR. The Pirates signed Tellez to a one-year deal for 2024 as a free agent.
2013-15
Tellez went through four levels in his first three years, reaching High Class A for 35 games in 2015. He mostly hit reasonably well without dominating, as he took more of a contact-oriented approach and hit for solid rather than great power. His best hitting came at High A, with a 275/338/473 line, but his season ended early due to a hamate injury. Baseball America ranked him as a high as seventh in the Jays’ system.
2016-18
In AA in 2016, Tellez had something of a breakout season, batting 297/387/530 with 23 home runs. His walk and strikeout rates were good, as he drew 63 walks while striking out 92 times in 514 plate appearances. He had a much tougher time in AAA in 2017, managing just a .628 OPS with just six home runs in 122 games. Toronto added Tellez to the 40-man roster after the season, then sent him back to AAA in 2018. His OPS improved to .765 and he reached the majors for 23 games, putting up a .943 OPS there.
2019-21
Tellez spent 2019 in the majors, except for a stint in AAA from mid-July through mid-August. He had an OPS of 1.138 in AAA, but batted 227/293/449 in the majors. His plate discipline wasn’t good, with a 7% walk rate and 28% K rate. He did hit 21 home runs. In the pandemic season he appeared in 35 major league games and posted a 283/347/540 line.
In 2021, Tellez got off to an 0-for-21 start and eventually got sent to AAA twice. Overall with Toronto he had just a .610 OPS. The Jays traded him to Milwaukee in July and Tellez hit much better with the Brewers, posting an .814 OPS.
2022-23
Tellez played every day for the Brewers in 2022 and belted 35 home runs. His value pretty much rested entirely with the longball. He had a solid walk rate, but still had just a 219/306/461 line. The park in Milwaukee was a factor, as he hit 22 HRs and slugged .537 there, compared to 13 and .391 on the road.
In 2023, Tellez got off to a strong start, with an .856 OPS in April, but he increasingly slumped after that. In early July he went out with shoulder inflammation; whether it contributed to his slump is uncertain. While on the IL, Tellez broke a finger, increasing the time he missed. When he returned, Tellez didn’t hit well and lost much of his playing time to, ironically as it turned out, Carlos Santana. For the year, he hit 215/291/376. He had 13 home runs, only one after May 22.
Milwaukee non-tendered Tellez after the 2023 season and he signed with the Pirates for 2024. Tellez had three horrible months and three good ones for the Pirates, but still was well below replacement level for the season. Bizarrely, the Pirates stuck with him until there were six games left in the season, then designated him for assignment.
Stats
Transactions
June 8, 2013: Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 30th round, 895th overall pick; signed on July 12.
November 20, 2017: Contract purchased by the Toronto Blue Jays.
July 6, 2021: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Milwaukee Brewers for Bowden Francis and Trevor Richards.
November 17, 2023: Became a free agent.
December 12, 2023: Signed as a free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
September 24, 2024: Designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates.