'We actually have a pretty good team': Rowdy Tellez touts Pirates, new teammates

Rowdy Tellez already was familiar with most of the Pittsburgh Pirates roster, but the burly slugger is looking forward to meeting several of his new teammates, especially those who stand his size or taller.

A 6-foot-4, 270-pound first baseman who signed a one-year contract with the Pirates last month, Tellez told Foul Territory podcast co-hosts Scott Braun, Brock Holt and A.J. Pierzynski during a guest appearance Wednesday that he is impressed by the physical stature of Oneil Cruz, Aroldis Chapman and 2023 No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes.

Tellez called Cruz “a freak of nature,” noting the 6-7 shortstop “runs like a track star” despite being a “huge human being.” And Tellez finds Chapman, a 6-4, 235-pound left-handed reliever whose fastball once touched 105 mph and sits at 99 mph, even more imposing.

“I don’t think I’m going to mess with him,” Tellez said of Chapman. “I think I’m going to lay low on that one, shake his hand and say, ‘Hey, how ya doing? If you need me, I’ll be over there in the corner.’ That’s it.”

Tellez said it will be “exciting” to watch Skenes, a 6-6 1/2, 250-pound right-hander and stand in the batter’s box against the former LSU star’s triple-digit heater in spring training at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla.

“I’ve seen him pitch. It’s crazy,” Tellez said of Skenes. “He’s a big dude. He’s got a little length to him, so it probably feels like it’s coming right (down the mound) into your face. If he breaks my bat, he breaks my bat. It’s spring training. Those don’t go on your (baseball) card, usually.”

Tellez even predicted he and Skenes, who finished last season at Double-A Altoona, will be teammates “at some point this year.”

"I think we actually have a pretty good team"

Rowdy Tellez weighs in on the @Pirates chances in the NL Central this upcoming season.

▶️ https://t.co/ewZxCmzmLu pic.twitter.com/bFVGH5AN3H

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) January 31, 2024

Where Tellez took some ribbing from the Foul Territory co-hosts for signing with the Pirates, who finished in fourth place in the NL Central last season, he objected to suggestions they won’t be a contender.

“It’s the NL Central. Anything can happen out there,” Tellez said. “I think we actually have a pretty good team. We’re super young, but with Oneil Cruz coming back, we’re going to lengthen out the lineup a little bit.”

Tellez, 28, had a career year in 2022 with the Milwaukee Brewers, hitting 23 doubles and 35 home runs with 89 RBIs, but his production dropped to nine doubles, 13 homers and 47 RBIs in 105 games last season. Dealing with the ups and downs has tempered his expectations but gives Tellez perspective to share with his new teammates.

“Just really stay healthy, help the team in any way that I can,” Tellez said. “I know they have a lot of young players, be somebody the players are comfortable talking to, that they can lean on. I’m a guy that’s had success, had failures. Be a clubhouse guy that bridges gap between veteran players and younger players. Just be the same guy day in, day out.”

Then Tellez joked about his answer.

“Typical Bull Durham response. You know, ‘God willing, things will work out,’ ” Tellez said. “To just be the same guy. Have the same face every day, whether it’s good or bad, whether we’re struggling or things are playing really good. When coach calls my name, be ready to go.”