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According to Jays manager John Gibbons, Tellez could very well be a factor with the big-league club in 2017, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet reports.
The team's No. 2 prospect shined this spring and soaked up helpful tips from the club's veterans. "I learned so much from Justin Smoak on the defensive side. How to field groundballs, how to use my feet," Tellez said. "These guys, I was fortunate enough to be able to talk to them and pick their brains on how they did the things -- not only physically, but mentally." The release of Melvin Upton Jr. inadvertently may help Tellez reach the majors this season. With Upton gone, Ezequiel Carrera and Steve Pearce -- the backup at first base -- will be the primary candidates for left field. Even though Kendrys Morales could play first base, he is better suited for a strict DH role. That means Smoak -- whose performance has been underwhelming for quite some time -- is the only one in Tellez's way. It wouldn't be shocking if the 22-year-old rocks a routine role with the Jays by mid-summer.
