Rowdy Tellez

Ryan “Rowdy” Tellez, youngest of Greg and Lori (née Bernick) Tellez, was born on March 16, 1995 in Sacramento, California. His father of Mexican descent, Tellez’s paternal grandfather was part of the Mexican Baseball League, which exposed him to his father’s sport early in his life, thus becoming a crucial part of who he would become. His early life was undeniably playful, full of energy, and fight, the very reason why the young Tellez was aptly termed “Baby Rowdy” by his father. Since then the name “Rowdy” stuck and he has been popularly known by this name among everyone.

As a student at Elk Grove High School, Tellez made his name in the world of baseball. He was a proud Baseball America High School All-American, Rawlings First Team All-American, and a 2013 Rawlings/Perfect Game All-Region First Team participant from California in 2013 – accolades that marked the initial steps of his successful professional baseball career.

His outstanding performance caught the attention of Major League Baseball, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to draft him in the 30th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. There was plentiful buzz around Tellez as he was ranked as the 59th-best player available by Baseball America. However, he fell through the rounds, in part due to his then commitment to the University of Southern California on a scholarship. Nevertheless, Blue Jays’ $850,000 signing bonus persuaded him, marking a record bonus for a post-10th-round pick in two years.

His career recorded an upward trajectory as he was assigned to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Blue Jays for the 2013 season. His robust performance and exceptional power earned him the title of the best power hitter in the Blue Jays minor league organization by Baseball America. Further stints with the Class-A Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League and the Bluefield Blue Jays of the Appalachian League saw him grow from strength to strength, seasoned his skills, and paved the way for his entry into the Major League Baseball.

The year 2015 was cardinal for Tellez, where he set several career-highs, made it to the Midwest League All-Star team, and was named to the prestigious Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team and an AFL Rising Star. The next year, he continued his phenomenal performance and was titled an Eastern League All-Star, an MiLB.com Toronto Blue Jays Organization All-Star, and a Baseball America Double-A All-Star. These achievements underscored Tellez’s dexterity and immense talent in the sport of baseball.

His breakthrough into the world of Major League Baseball took place in 2018 when he debuted with a bang, creating a record of being the only player since 1913 to hit seven doubles in his first seven major league games. This, along with the multitude of records he set, officially marked his entry into the epic echelons of baseball.

Balancing his burgeoning career, Tellez faced a significant personal loss when his mother, Lori, who was battling stage IV melanoma, passed away on August 18, 2018. However, this unfortunate event didn’t halter his determination and focus on the game.

Over the following years, Tellez’s exceptional performance was amplified in global platforms like the COVID-19-shortened season, where he boasted an impressive batting score of .283/.346/.540. Further, his striking career led him to Milwaukee Brewers in 2021 where he hit a two-run home run in the first game of the 2021 NLDS off Charlie Morton.

In his personal life, Tellez served as the officiant at his former Blue Jays teammate Danny Jansen’s wedding in 2022. Continuing his thriving career, Tellez set a record in May 2022 by achieving eight RBIs in one game for the Milwaukee Brewers in an 18-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The same year he also became the NL Player of the Week.

In a significant development, he switched his team again, signing a 2-year contract with Pittsburgh Pirates worth $3.2 million on December 15, 2023.

In 2023, Tellez represented Mexico in the World Baseball Classic, displaying his immense talent on a global platform. Tellez, a practicing Jew, received invitations from Team Israel, but owing to logistical reasons and his emotional ties with Mexico, he chose the latter.

Through his professional journey, Tellez has proven himself as a dedicated and skilled baseball player, carving a niche for himself in Major League Baseball. His exceptional skills, relentless dedication, and powerful performance have made him a prominent name in the world of baseball.