Red Sox catching prospect Kyle Teel huge week earns him Eastern League Player of the Week honors
Portland Sea Dogs’ catcher Kyle Teel had a monster week and was named the Eastern League Player of the Week honors for the week of May 27 through June 2.
In six games, the top catching prospect hit .417 (10-for-24) with six runs scored, three homers, 11 RBI, and two stolen bases. Teel provided a huge offensive outburst while on the road against the Altoona Curve, hitting homers in the ninth inning in back-to-back games.
On Friday night, the Sea Dogs were down in the top of the ninth until Teel belted a game-tying three-run blast that led to Portland winning 8-6 in 10 innings.
The following night, Teel provided more heroics at the plate, with the Sea Dogs down 4-2 in the ninth inning. Teel hit a grand slam over the wall in right field to give Portland a 6-4 lead. The Sea Dogs went on to win the game 11-8 in 10 innings.
The University of Virginia alum hit safely in five of the six games last week, which included three multi-hit performances.
The 22-year-old led the league with 11 RBI and owned a .517 on-base percentage. He was also tied for first with three home runs.
Teel is having an impressive season for the Sea Dogs this season, prompting speculation about whether he should be promoted to Triple-A Worcester.
This season, he is hitting .307 with 11 doubles, six homers, and 34 RBI. He ranks third in the league in OPS (.946) and ninth in hits (47).
The Red Sox selected Teel in the first round, he was taken 14th overall in last year’s amateur draft. He is ranked by Baseball America as the Red Sox’ best defensive catcher.
Teel becomes the third Sea Dogs player to earn Eastern League Player of the Week honors this season, joining Matthew Lugo (April 15–21) and Blaze Jordan (April 22–28). Additionally, the Sea Dogs’ left-handed pitcher Zach Penrod earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors for the week of May 13th–19th.
