Red Sox 2023 top draft pick homers, reaches base 4 times in second pro game

Red Sox 2023 top draft pick Kyle Teel bashed his first professional homer Saturday in Florida Complex League action. He went 3-for-3 with two singles, a two-run homer, one walk and two runs to help the FCL Red Sox beat the FCL Twins 7-2.

It was the left-handed hitting catcher’s second professional game. He went 0-for-2 with two groundouts in his first game Thursday.

Boston selected Teel 14th overall out of the University of Virginia, then inked him to a slightly under-slot signing bonus of $4 million. He had a monster 2023 season at Virginia, batting .407 with 13 homers, 69 RBIs and a 1.130 OPS in 65 games as a junior. He earned 2023 ACC Player of the Year and was chosen as a consensus All-American. MLB Pipeline grades his arm 65 (between plus and plus-plus) and his hitting 55 (above average).

MLB Pipeline wrote about the 21-year-old, “Extremely athletic, Teel has seen time in the outfield and probably could handle playing second or third, but he has every chance to stick behind the plate. He has an easily plus arm and his athleticism helps his overall receiving. He gets high marks for his baseball IQ and leadership skills.”

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Teel took batting practice at Fenway Park on July 21, the day he signed.

“I’m so hungry to be out here one day,” Teel said after his workout. “Just having this opportunity is really special and it’s all about getting to work and doing the best I can.”

Teel is represented by super agent Scott Boras who also represented longtime Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Boras sees similarities in their perseverance.

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“The idea of wanting to be a big leaguer, do whatever it takes to be one...It’s a hard road for young athletes these days, particularly ones that go to college,” Boras said July 21. “(There’s) time management and what they do, playing high-caliber baseball. It really suits them well to be ready for professional baseball and all the demands.

“Certainly all the resources and all the aptitude and all the skills, Kyle has. As I told Tek today, (”Kyle) is a little bit better runner than you were.’”