One swing makes Teel an international sensation

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- From Kyle Teel’s best recollection, his Tuesday schedule for White Sox Spring Training read, “Live at-bats, Dodgers side.”

The 23-year-old catcher, ranked by MLB Pipeline as baseball’s No. 32 prospect overall, saw nothing about, “Be ready for international fame.” But that’s exactly what happened when Teel homered on the second pitch from Roki Sasaki, the sport’s No. 1 prospect overall, in the controlled live batting practice session.

“I didn’t know it was going to be with him until he hopped on the mound,” Teel said in the White Sox clubhouse Wednesday morning. “It was cool, you know. Just getting work in, getting things done on the back fields, working on my ball flight that day. And it ended up being good ball flight.

“I’ve never faced him before, but really good pitcher. I’ve seen his stuff on Instagram -- really good pitcher for Team Japan. It was really cool facing him.”

Teel was joined by first baseman Tim Elko, infielder Jacob Gonzalez, outfielder Wilfred Veras and veteran non-roster invitees Tristan Gray and Andre Lipcius as hitters who faced Sasaki. Elko, who homered in the White Sox Cactus League opener against the Cubs at Sloan Park, connected for a deep drive against the right-hander, but only Teel cleared the fences.

That home run earned Teel a postgame interview session with Japanese media covering Sasaki. Teel also earned a fair share of ribbing from his teammates.

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Davis Martin wondered aloud why Teel gained only 1,000 followers on his Instagram. Jonathan Cannon joined in the press scrum Wednesday by asking whether Teel trotted around the bases after hitting the home run.

“I did not. No,” a smiling Teel said. “Every time you hit a ball hard, I feel confident. But we have been putting a lot of work in the cage working on stuff. One of the main things for me is I’m going to be aggressive early.”

Quite a bit of speed exists in Teel’s game, to go with the long ball prowess, as he showed Monday against Texas by scoring easily from first on Oscar Colás’ double. Being athletic is an important part of the job for Teel.

“It’s good to be a fast catcher. The position is becoming more athletic,” said Teel, the No. 2 White Sox prospect. “I put a lot of work in during the offseason to be fast and explosive. Whatever I can do to help the team -- if I can run fast, I can score more runs.”

Spring Training activities Wednesday marked a return to regular work for Teel, a non-roster Spring Training invitee. Actually, Tuesday also was all about regular work for Teel, one of the four players the White Sox acquired from Boston in the Garrett Crochet trade on the last day of the MLB Winter Meetings in December.

“To be honest, it was like the most normal day for me ever, but it’s good. I like it,” Teel said. “In the moment I just needed to get my work in. I just need to focus on my process. At the end of the day, you’re hitting a ball that is crossing the plate. That was my main focus.

“Didn’t really know what [Sasaki] had, because we didn’t have any reports on him for anything. But I knew he had a good fastball and good splitter, so I got the fastball. I didn’t see his reaction, but I know he was focusing on working on his own stuff. That’s what it’s about on the back fields, getting your work in and getting better.”