NEW YORK – Months after his big-league arrival, Kyle Teel felt a familiar, fresh wave of emotions this week at Yankee Stadium.
“I’ve told people, it feels like my second debut day,’’ said the Chicago White Sox rookie catcher.
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There was another healthy North Jersey-based rooting section at the Stadium cheering on Teel, who started behind the plate in Thursday night’s series finale against the Yankees.
As someone who grew up coming to Yankees games as a young fan, “it’s been fantastic…a dream come true,’’ said Teel, grateful for the support of “all the people that have helped get me here.’’
Along with his entire family, Teel said friends and teammates from Mahwah High School were in the stands this week.
“Everyone I can think of, to be honest,’’ said Teel, rated as MLB’s No. 52 prospect overall by Baseball America entering 2025.
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“Looks like he’s going to be a really good offensive catcher,’’ said Yanks manager Aaron Boone, who watched the lefty-hitting Teel go 1-for-2 with two walks in Tuesday’s series opener.
Kyle Teel, an essential part of the Garrett Crochet trade
Sep 16, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (8) hits a two-run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Called up on June 6 after 50 games with Triple-A Charlotte, Teel said that “obviously my goal was to come here and make an impact’’ with the rebuilding White Sox in 2025.
“So, we still have some games left, and that’s my goal moving forward as well – to play the game to win and have fun doing it.’’
And that on-the-job MLB training in 2025 is something Teel, 23, might not have received as a Boston Red Sox.
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Boston’s No. 1 draft pick (14th overall) in 2023 out of the University of Virginia, Teel was a key figure in last December’s major trade that sent ace starter Garret Crochet to the Red Sox.
“It kind of came out of nowhere,’’ Teel said of the trade. “But the way I looked at it, that night I popped champagne and celebrated.
“Just because there’s a lot of opportunity, I knew that coming in’’ with the White Sox, said Teel, batting .275 with eight homers, 34 RBI and an .805 OPS over his first 74 games.
Before the trade, “I always thought I was going to be a Red Sox forever,’’ said Teel. “But I quickly came to learn when I got to pro ball that it’s not how it works.
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“And that’s all right,’’ said Teel. “The Red Sox really helped me develop as a ballplayer and all those guys helped me a ton – all the player development staff, all the coaches.
“And here it’s the same thing,’’ Teel said of “getting a ton of support, and all of the development needs I can get’’ with the White Sox.
After the White Sox’s season ends this weekend in Washington, Teel will arrive back in North Jersey, working out at home until spring training.
And as the schedule played out, being at Yankee Stadium this week was a terrific way to cap Teel’s rookie year.
“It all worked out great for me,’’ said Teel. “Couldn’t be happier.’’
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: White Sox catcher Kyle Teel’s ‘fantastic’ homecoming at Yankee Stadium