Ryan John “Rowdy” Tellez has emerged as one of baseball’s most intriguing left-handed power hitters, combining size, strength and a knack for extra-base hits to carve out a seven-year Major League career by age 30. From his breakout debut in Toronto to productive stints in Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, Tellez has demonstrated big-league power while overcoming defensive limitations.
He joined the Seattle Mariners on a minor league deal, quickly earning a spot on the Opening Day roster and a $1.5 million salary guarantee. Off the field, he balances professional demands with family life in Florida alongside his wife, Rachel.
Rowdy Tellez’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ryan John “Rowdy” Tellez |
| Date of Birth | March 16, 1995 |
| Age | 30 |
| Education | Elk Grove High School (Elk Grove, CA) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
| Weight | 270 lb (122 kg) |
| Turned Pro | Drafted by Toronto Blue Jays (30th round, 2013) |
| Net Worth | $9.34 million |
| Salary | $800,000 base; $1.5 million if on Opening Day roster |
| Career Earnings | $14,038,349 through |
| Wife | N/A |
| N/A | |
| N/A |
Early Career
Rowdy Tellez’s path to the big leagues began long before he ever set foot on a Major League diamond. Growing up in Sacramento, California, he was the oldest of three children in a family that loved sports.
His parents, Greg and Lori Tellez, encouraged all their kids to play baseball, but Rowdy-so nicknamed because of the way he kicked and jostled in Lori’s belly-stood out early for his size and bat speed.
At Elk Grove High School, he quickly earned a reputation as a left-handed slugger who could drive the ball to all fields. Scouts took notice when he hit over .400 as a junior and clobbered more than a dozen home runs during his senior season.
Despite scholarship offers from several Division I programs, he decided to test the professional waters after the Toronto Blue Jays selected him in the 30th round of the 2013 MLB Draft.
The moment he signed with Toronto for an $850,000 bonus-a record for any pick after the 10th round-Tellez traded campus life for the grind of minor league ball. His first taste of pro baseball came in the Gulf Coast League, where the jump to wooden bats and more advanced pitching challenged him.
He struck out more than he liked, but he also showed flashes of the raw power that made him a standout in high school. Instead of getting discouraged, he leaned into his swing mechanics, working tirelessly on his lower half and his timing.
By the end of that rookie season, he had a better idea of what it would take to succeed, and he carried that determination into each assignment thereafter.
Tellez’s numbers improved markedly. His batting average climbed, his strikeouts dipped, and his homers started to fly in more regularly. He moved up to Class A Lansing in 2015 and earned Midwest League All-Star honors after posting a .270 average with 13 blasts and 50 RBIs.
Scouts praised his ability to generate exit velocities in the upper 90s, projecting him as one of Toronto’s premier power prospects. That winter, he sharpened his plate discipline in the Arizona Fall League, showing increased pitch recognition against top prospects from other organizations.
Professional Career
Rowdy Tellez burst onto the big-league scene late in the 2018 season, making his debut for the Toronto Blue Jays on September 5. Pinch-hitting against the Tampa Bay Rays, he ripped a first-pitch double, instantly announcing his arrival.
Over the next few weeks he rolled out an unprecedented display of gap power, piling up seven doubles in his first seven games-the most any player had managed since 1913.
In just 23 games that month, he slashed .314/.329/.614, clubbing four homers and driving in 14 runs. His eye-popping first taste of major league pitching had fans buzzing and set high expectations for his first full season.
When the calendar flipped to 2019, Tellez settled into Toronto’s everyday lineup at first base. As a rookie, he appeared in 111 games and launched 21 homers, pacing all American League rookies while adding nine doubles and 54 RBIs.
His raw power was on full display, but his aggressive approach yielded a 30 percent strikeout rate, and he posted a .227/.293/.449 batting line. Still, Tellez’s five-tool potential and knack for driving the ball all over the yard made him one of the most exciting young bats in the game. He finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting, affirming that his late-season heroics in 2018 were no fluke.
Tellez slid into a platoon role alongside Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who shifted to first base. He made the most of his opportunities, hitting .283/.346/.540 with eight homers and 23 RBIs in 35 games, posting a 140 OPS+ that ranked among the league’s best per plate appearance. A late-season knee strain cut his campaign short, but his production in limited at-bats convinced the Blue Jays that he could be a middle-of-the-order force.
Tellez to the Milwaukee Brewers on July 6 for reliever Trevor Richards. The change of scenery sparked a midseason surge: he slashed .272/.333/.481 over 56 games in Milwaukee, adding seven homers and 28 RBIs.
Combined with his Blue Jays numbers, he wrapped the year with 11 homers in 106 games and proved he could adjust on the fly. He also made his first postseason appearances that October, homering twice in the NL Division Series against the eventual champion Atlanta Braves.
Rowdy Tellez’s Net Worth Details
Tellez’s net worth is estimated to be $9.34 million as of 2025.
Contract
Rowdy Tellez agreed to a minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners that came with an invitation to big-league spring training and built-in opt-outs if he wasn’t added to the 40-man roster by March 23, May 1 or June 1.
The deal promised him $1.5 million in guaranteed pay the moment he made the Opening Day roster, giving him leverage to walk away if Seattle didn’t commit by those deadlines.
After a strong spring performance, the Mariners selected his contract on March 25, officially adding him to the 40-man roster and locking in that $1.5 million salary for the 2025 season.
Salary
Tellez’s minor-league pact with the Seattle Mariners carries a $1.5 million guarantee upon making the Opening Day roster and includes opt-out clauses if he isn’t added to the 40-man roster by March 23, May 1 or June 1.
After a strong spring training, Seattle selected his contract on March 25, officially adding him to the 40-man roster and securing that $1.5 million salary for the 2025 season. His guaranteed base salary of $1.5 million is reflected in the Mariners’ 2025 payroll as part of their veteran allocations.
Career Earnings
| Year | Team | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Toronto Blue Jays | $79,110 |
| 2019 | Toronto Blue Jays | $468,488 |
| 2020 | Toronto Blue Jays | $214,667 |
| 2021 | Toronto Blue Jays / Milwaukee Brewers | $836,084 |
| 2022 | Milwaukee Brewers | $1,940,000 |
| 2023 | Milwaukee Brewers | $4,950,000 |
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Pirates | $3,200,000 |
| 2025 | Seattle Mariners | $1,500,000 |
MLB Career Stats
| Category | Career Total |
|---|---|
| Games Played | 678 |
| At Bats | 2,110 |
| Hits | 491 |
| Doubles | 98 |
| Triples | 3 |
| Home Runs | 107 |
| Runs Batted In | 324 |
| Batting Average | .233 |
| On-Base Percentage | .301 |
| Slugging Percentage | .434 |
| OPS | .735 |
FAQs
1. Who is Rowdy Tellez?
Ryan John “Rowdy” Tellez is a 6-foot-4, 270-pound left-handed first baseman and designated hitter currently with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. Born on March 16, 1995, in Sacramento, California, he made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays and later played for the Brewers and Pirates before joining Seattle.
2. What is Rowdy Tellez’s background and early life?
Tellez attended Elk Grove High School, where he excelled as a power hitter and earned both Baseball America and Rawlings First Team High School All-American honors. His standout performance led to his selection by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 30th round of the 2013 MLB draft.
3. How did Rowdy Tellez earn his nickname?
His parents nicknamed him “Baby Rowdy” while he was in the womb because of his constant movement and activity. They purposely avoided generic monikers before knowing his gender, and the nickname “Rowdy” stuck as a unique identifier that has followed him through his amateur and professional baseball career.
4. Which MLB teams has Rowdy Tellez played for?
Tellez has played as a first baseman and designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays (2018–2021), Milwaukee Brewers (2021–2023), and Pittsburgh Pirates (2024), before joining the Seattle Mariners. He has also represented the Mexico national baseball team in international competition.
5. What notable records has Rowdy Tellez set in his MLB career?
Tellez became the first player since 1913 to record seven doubles in his first seven games. On May 4, 2022, he set a Milwaukee Brewers franchise record by driving in eight runs in a single game, showcasing his elite extra-base hitting and run-production ability.
6. What are Rowdy Tellez’s career batting statistics through early 2025?
Tellez has played 678 MLB games with 2,110 at-bats, recording 491 hits, including 98 doubles, three triples, and 107 home runs. He has driven in 324 runs while posting a .233 batting average, .301 on-base percentage, and .434 slugging percentage.
7. What contract terms does Rowdy Tellez have with the Seattle Mariners?
Tellez signed a minor league contract with the Mariners ahead of the 2025 season that includes opt-out clauses on March 23, May 1, and June 1, allowing him to explore other opportunities if not added to the roster. Once added to the 40-man roster, he earns a guaranteed $1.5 million.
8. What achievements did Rowdy Tellez earn during his minor league career?
Tellez was a 2013 Baseball America and Rawlings First Team High School All-American. He was named a 2015 Midwest League All-Star, selected to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team and Rising Stars roster, and earned 2016 Eastern League All-Star, MiLB.com Blue Jays Organization All-Star, and Baseball America Double-A All-Star honors.
9. What is Rowdy Tellez’s playing style and key strengths?
Tellez combines significant power and leverage as a left-handed hitter with a disciplined approach at the plate, generating a high percentage of extra-base hits. His ability to drive doubles and home runs consistently makes him a reliable run producer, and his defensive work at first base adds versatility as a designated hitter and corner infielder.
10. Has Rowdy Tellez represented a national team in international baseball?
Tellez has competed for the Mexico national baseball team in international tournaments, including the World Baseball Classic. He contributed power hitting and positional flexibility to the roster, highlighting his ability to perform on both major league and international stages.
