Rowdy Tellez puts exclamation point on scorching hot streak with milestone homer
![Jul 9, 2024; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Rowdy Tellez (44) hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6415,h_3608,x_0,y_100/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/4/01j2dbs96ztz6med2n6n.jpg)
In Game 1 of the Pirates' important six-game roadtrip, the Buccos hit five home runs en route to a 12-2 victory against the Brewers. One of the Pirates' home runs came off the bat of Rowdy Tellez, one of the hottest hitters in all of baseball. Not only did this home run mark the sixth in his last 12 games, but it also was the 100th of his career.
Despite the rough start, Rowdy Tellez is finally playing like the first baseman the Pirates believed they were getting.
Tellez had one of the worst starts in baseball, making him one of the worst qualified hitters in the league. Before his hot streak, Tellez batted .177 with a home run and eight runs batted in. He also had an OPS of .463, which included an on-base percentage of .239 and a slugging percentage of .223. Attempting to avoid being designated for assignment, Tellez then got help from an outside coach and has been on a tear ever since.
Since June 1, Tellez has a .352 batting average with seven home runs and 22 runs batted in. He also posted an OPS of 1.035, which includes an on-base percentage of .398 and a slugging percentage of .637. This is quite the turnaround, but this hasn’t been just one solid week. It’s been this way for over a month.
This hot streak has impacted his season stats a ton, and if you looked at them this week, you would not have guessed he was at one of the worst hitters in the league at one point. Tellez now has a batting average of .249 with eight home runs and 30 runs driven in. He also has an OPS of .698, which includes an on-base percentage of .304 and a slugging percentage of .394. His wRC+ barely sits under the league average at 96 and his fWAR is now even at 0.
This turnaround is just what the Pirates needed. Although he is on an expiring contract, the Pirates should not deal him at the deadline. The options within the organization at first base are extremely thin. It is looking like the Pirates got a steal at first base, but who knows? Maybe this resurgence could lead to a reunion this offseason.