Grind. Catch. Repeat: How Michael Tellez Earned His Shot

But that chemistry matters, and we know when to lock it in.”

Michael Tellez remembers growing up in Rancho Cucamonga, watching Los Angeles Dodgers games with his grandpa, Joe Tellez Sr. 

Long before its championship breakthrough in 2020, the Dodgers endured a string of disappointing Octobers — lessons in resilience that stuck with Tellez as much as any final score. Through those ups and downs, his grandpa instilled in him a love for the game and a belief in discipline and seizing opportunities. 

“Baseball has always been my first dream, and I promised him I’d take it as far as I could,” said the younger Tellez about his grandpa, who passed away in 2018 when Michael was in elementary school. 

Now a senior at Peninsula High School — and the star of last year’s District 3/4 3A championship win over Stadium High School — Tellez is taking the next step, signing to play for Columbia Basin College in Pasco, a perennial junior college baseball powerhouse known for producing Division I talent. 

“I believe I can get there if I stay disciplined and make the most of every opportunity,” he said. 

A catcher by trade, a leader by nature, and a grinder at heart, Tellez has spent the last four years turning quiet determination into something much louder. 

But even grinders have growing pains. As a younger player, Tellez admits he was emotionally raw, easily rattled by bad at-bats and pressure situations. But by the end of his sophomore season, something clicked. His love for the game deepened, his weight-room sessions intensified, and the mental side of his game caught up with his physical skills. 

That transformation didn’t stay hidden for long. 

His breakout came during his junior year, when he batted .324 with 22 hits and 13 RBIs, earning honorable mention All-South Sound Conference while helping the Seahawks capture a district title no one expected them to win. 

In the championship game, he went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in a thrilling 5-4 win over Stadium, just hours after beating 3A No. 1-ranked Kelso, 2-0, to reach the final. Even though No. 12 seed Peninsula eventually fell 2-1 to No. 5 West Seattle in the second round of the 3A state tournament, the memories of that surprise playoff push still bring a smile to his face. 

“All the hours, all the work, it finally paid off right when we needed it most,” he said. His team finished the 2024 season 15-10 overall. 

“That was probably the greatest experience I’ve had in baseball.” 

A big part of that experience, Tellez said, came from the team around him. His team-first mindset was forged in the dugouts of Little League, where nearly every member of this year’s Peninsula squad grew up playing together — a brotherhood that still runs deep. 

“We’re all best friends. We like to joke around and have fun; sometimes that drives our coaches crazy,” he said. “But that chemistry matters, and we know when to lock it in.” 

Tellez said the team was locked in this season, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if the Seahawks went undefeated, or at least earned a higher seed in the district tournament. As the season wore on, they learned their defense could carry them, but their hitting didn’t always rise to the moment. 

While Tellez’s own numbers this year didn’t match last season’s standout stats, his impact was just as important. 

He cut his strikeouts in half, increased his walks, and stayed error-free behind the plate all season. He’s playing smarter now, not just harder — and in baseball, that’s often what separates good from great. 

“That’s the mental side of it. You’ve got to just keep grinding.” 

And grind he does. The No. 7 seed Seahawks (16–7, 12–4 in the Puget Sound League as of May 19) earned another shot at the state tournament by winning their second straight District 3/4 3A title, pulling off upset victories over both No. 2 Decatur and No. 1 Gig Harbor. Their 4-2 win over Gig Harbor — ranked No. 1 in the state in RPI rankings at the time — marked the second year in a row Peninsula surpassed the top-ranked 3A team en route to a district championship. Results of the state tournament were not available at press time. 

Now with the high school season in the books, Tellez is already back at it with his Kitsap County Rebels club team, pushing his game to the next level. Whether he’s lifting with teammates, taking extra reps after practice, or hitting under the lights long after others have left, his work ethic speaks for itself. 

He’s signed to play catcher at Columbia Basin and is committed to staying behind the plate — but this summer, he’s training to play anywhere his team needs him. 

Off the field, Tellez is just as multidimensional. When he’s not building Star Wars Lego sets with his dad, he’s exploring fashion, creating music, or hanging out with friends in his spare time. He plans to study criminal justice at Columbia Basin and is looking forward to making new memories with new teammates, but his primary focus remains unchanged. 

“When I step on campus, I’m just ready to grind,” Tellez said. “I want to be in the weight room 24/7, hitting 24/7. My grandpa really inspires me, and I want to take this as far as I can.”