Rowdy Tellez, Ex-Pirates First Baseman, Hits Waivers Amid Changes

Seattle Mariners first baseman Rowdy Tellez has had a wild ride through the 2025 season. Things finally hit a low point with his recent placement on waivers after a rough year.

He was once a promising slugger for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he just couldn’t recapture that spark with the Mariners. Fans and analysts have started to wonder if he still fits in MLB at all. Let’s dig into Tellez’s bumpy path from Pittsburgh to Seattle, his stats along the way, and what might — or might not — come next for the 30-year-old power hitter.

Rowdy Tellez’s Seattle Struggles

Tellez signed a minor league deal with Seattle in February 2025, hoping for a fresh start. The Mariners put him on their Opening Day roster, showing a good bit of faith in his bat.

But that hope faded fast. In 62 games, Tellez hit just .208, with a .249 on-base percentage and a .434 slugging percentage. Those numbers were the lowest of his career, and it showed.

Key Seattle statistics:

Designated for Assignment and Waivers

On June 20, 2025, Seattle designated Tellez for assignment after Luke Raley returned from the injured list. Tellez just couldn’t find a groove or lock down his spot in the lineup.

Now that he’s on waivers, his future in baseball hangs in the balance. Teams have to decide if his power is worth the risk, given his recent struggles.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Era: Peaks and Valleys

Before Seattle, Tellez played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024. He signed a one-year, $3.2 million contract in December 2023, with a shot at extra incentives.

But he just couldn’t get rolling. April saw him bat .192, and May was even worse at .143. Then, out of nowhere, he caught fire in the summer months and started hitting again.

Tellez’s summer rebound:

A September to Forget

Just as Tellez seemed to be turning things around, September arrived, and his numbers crashed. He hit only .116 that month and quickly lost ground with Pirates’ management.

Pittsburgh designated him for assignment on September 24, looking to bring up younger prospects. Odd timing, too — he was just four plate appearances away from a $200,000 bonus. Manager Derek Shelton and GM Ben Cherington swore that wasn’t part of the decision, but who really knows?

Tellez’s final Pirates line pretty much says it all:

Where Does Rowdy Tellez Go from Here?

Honestly, it’s tough to say what’s next for Rowdy Tellez. He’s got raw power — 24 home runs split between Pittsburgh and Seattle in two years isn’t nothing.

But his inconsistency at the plate might keep him stuck with minor league deals or backup roles. If he wants to stick around, he’ll need to find a way to balance that power with a bit more reliability.

Final Thoughts

Tellez’s time with the Pirates and Mariners feels bittersweet. He can light up a ballpark for a week or two, then vanish at the plate for much longer.

Now he’s out there on waivers, hoping for another shot. Honestly, he’ll have to prove he can be a steady run-producer if he wants to stick around in the majors.

Will another team give him that chance? Or will he just slip quietly off the radar?

It’s hard to say, but plenty of fans and analysts will be watching to see what Rowdy Tellez does next.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Former Pirates First Baseman Placed on Waivers