Kyle Teel ‘at all times seemed as much as’ Jason Varitek, however says his participant comparability is Buster Posey

Purple Sox

“He was only a nice athlete again there. He was superb. So I’d examine myself to him.”

Kyle Teel, whom the Purple Sox chosen with the No. 14 choose of the 2023 MLB Draft, mentioned he’s at all times seemed as much as Jason Varitek who’s now a recreation planning coordinator and catching coach with the group.

However, the catcher who starred at Virginia had a distinct former participant in thoughts so far as a comparability to himself.

“I’d say athleticism-wise, I examine myself to Buster Posey,” Teel mentioned in keeping with MLB.com’s Ian Brown. “He was only a nice athlete again there. He was superb. So I’d examine myself to him.”

Posey is a seven-time all-star and a three-time World Collection champion, so he’d be a fairly lofty comparability for any incoming faculty participant.

Purple Sox director of newbie scouting Devin Pearson instructed Browne that he was “pumped” that Teel was out there at 14.

“He can actually throw. He can actually block. He can slide. His palms are good. His framing continues to get higher,” mentioned Pearson. “I believe he sort of touches all of the containers for us when it comes to what we worth from a improvement standpoint. He matches a number of issues that we worth behind the plate.”

A consensus first-team All-American, Teel additionally brings sturdy hitting skill to the catching place. He’s prime 10 all-time amongst Virginia gamers in batting common, house runs, doubles, runs scored, and whole bases.

Earlier than his time at Virginia, Posey grew up in New Jersey, the place he was an avid Yankees fan. He says he “bleeds pink” now that the Purple Sox have picked him, and loved his first time enjoying at Fenway a couple of years in the past.

“It was for a highschool prospect factor,” Teel mentioned. “And to be sincere with you, my favourite ballpark I’ve ever performed at is Fenway up so far in my profession.”