Red Sox sign catcher Kyle Teel and Nazzan Zanetello
The Red Sox signed their first round pick, catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Nazzan Zanetello and 12 others to contracts on Friday.
Teel signs for $4 million which is a below slot value for the No. 14 overall pick.
“I’m so hungry to be out here one day, and just having this opportunity is really special,” Teel told reporters from Fenway Park. “And it’s all about getting to work and putting your head down every day and doing the best you can.”
The new Sox catching prospect took batting practice, which including him hitting a few homers into the bullpens.
“It felt like a lot of hard work finally coming together,” Teel said. “That’s always been my dream to be a professional baseball player, and my dream is still to be a big leaguer. Signing that contract, it was a really great feeling to be able to do that and something I’ve dreamed about since I was 10 years old. So, it was really, really amazing.”
Teel‘s agent Scott Boras spoke with the media talking about similarities he sees between the young catcher and Jason Varitek.
“I do in the perseverance,” said Boras. “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. (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.’”
Zanetello’s deal is worth $3 million, according to MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.
The Christian Brothers High School prospect was taken with the 50th overall selection in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft. His slot value for his draft position was valued at $1.698 million.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
