2023 MLB Draft Profile: Kyle Teel
Catcher has started to become a weird position in MLB, especially regarding the draft. Offensive output from the position is usually so bad that if you have the ability to hit as a catching prospect you will jump up draft boards. It’s why Henry Davis made the jump last year and was taken first overall by the Pirates, and while this year there may not be a catcher quite at that level, Kyle Teel is still drawing tons of interest.
Part of why Teel has jumped up draft boards is the offensive potential he brings. Catcher has become one of the weaker positions offensively. It’s usually expected that you play great-to-elite defense and call a game with the offensive output being an added bonus. With a prospect like Teel, you can bring in that elite bat at a position where it’s so desperately needed.
Hit: 55 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 65 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Immediately the hit grade he boasts is an impressive one. Scouts love his quick swing and the approach he takes in every at-bat. It allowed him to work more walks than strikeouts while at Virginia and show off his plate discipline. He shows the ability to hit all parts of the field and be a true offensive weapon.
The only potential weakness of his offense is his lack of power. Or more so the overcompensation that comes with him trying to create more power, which is why scouts believe his offensive numbers took a hit last season.
He sometimes seems more concerned with hitting the long ball than he does with hitting the ball in general–a habit that could get him into some serious trouble in the next levels.
If he can just discipline himself in that regard then we are looking at a potential silver slugger from the catcher position. He’s still young so habits like this aren’t totally out of the blue. It’s an easy fix that could go a long way in paving an MLB career for Kyle Teel.
Behind the plate, Kyle Teel is solid. He receives the ball quite well and shows the ability to properly block pitches. But his calling card is that cannon of an arm he has. Graded at 65/80, it’s clearly a tool scouts are falling in love with.
Pop time is becoming more and more important for catchers. Especially with the new rule changes making it easier to steal bases, the value in having a cannon of an arm from your catcher has never been higher.
Overall I really like Teel as a prospect, he just seems like a safe option. You have a very solid hit tool with a pretty left-handed swing to go with it. Even if the power never fully develops, he can be a solid on-base guy from a position we don’t normally see that from.
The defense is also there and I’m sure there are multiple teams willing to take a chance on him high in this draft. Catcher is becoming a more valuable position by the season. If you can draft on that can hit, you don’t pass up on it.
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