Blue Jays still believe in Rowdy Tellez and expect him back soon

Charlie Montoyo was asked about the recently demoted Rowdy Tellez and the Blue Jay skipper expressed confidence that he’ll be back in the big leagues soon.

The Blue Jays haven’t been afraid to send struggling players back to Buffalo in order to work on skills or regain their confidence, and in most cases it’s worked out for the best.

They used that strategy with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. earlier this year, and have done the same with others like Teoscar Hernandez as well, both of whom have been much improved since returning. They made the decision to try the same idea with Rowdy Tellez, who had been scuffling at the plate, and hopefully the big first baseman can get back on track in Triple-A.

While it’s still discouraging for the player to be sent back to the minor leagues, it sounds like Tellez shouldn’t let it get him too worried about his place in the Blue Jays’ long term plans. There is a natural understanding that rookies need time to develop and adjust to the highest level, and even some Hall of Famers had to go back to the minor leagues before cementing their place in the big leagues.

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Charlie Montoyo was asked about Tellez during his appearance on MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM yesterday. The Blue Jay skipper was quick to express confidence in the 24-year-old and indicated that if all goes according to plan that he would be back in a Blue Jay uniform sooner than later, which is certainly encouraging to hear for fans of the big left-handed slugger.

Montoyo was also quick to remind folks that the Blue Jays hasn’t been afraid to use their Triple-A team as a tool to get their young players back on track when they’re struggling, expressed confidence that once Tellez makes a few “adjustments” that he’ll be able to return, and also take his place as an important piece of the future of this young group.

"“He needs to make an adjustment at the plate, and that’s what we told him. You know, we’re going to see him back here in, probably a couple weeks, or if not sooner, and he’s going to be okay. He just had to make an adjustment”"

When Montoyo was asked directly what adjustment Tellez needed to make specifically, he gave a pretty straight-forward answer.

"“He was swinging at way too many bad pitches, and you know how it is in the big leagues. Whenever they know that you’re swinging at those pitches they’re going to keep throwing them, and that’s what they were doing to him. And so he’s going down there to make an adjustment, relax a little bit, and he’ll be back just like Teoscar Hernandez did, just like Gurriel, so, we’ve done it before and we know the kid. He’s going to be alright, believe me. And I agree with you, he’s going to be really good, and he’s going to be a part of the future”."

I’m sure the Blue Jays’ brass related those same messages to Tellez before he made the trip to Buffalo, but even still, I hope he’s had a chance to listen to that interview. That doesn’t sound like a manager who has given up on a young player at all, but rather, one that sees this as the best for his long term development. There’s nothing with that.

Hopefully things will go exactly how Montoyo has described they will, and with the trade deadline approaching in less than two weeks, don’t be surprised to see Tellez make his way back once there’s been a roster shuffle or two. Here’s hoping a short stay in Triple-A is exactly what he needs to get back to hitting the ball with authority.