The Boston Red Sox have reverted back to the .500 baseball team they were at the beginning of the season, and their postseason fate remains up in the air with just over 20 games remaining in the regular season.
But Sox fans have a lot to look forward to when the organization's top prospects hopefully make their big-league debuts next season. On Sept. 5, top catching prospect Kyle Teel gave Boston fans something to smile about.
The Worcester Red Sox's third-to-last series of the season is a six-game stint in Rochester, NY against the Washington Nationals' Triple-A affiliate, the Red Wings. Rochester's newest star debuted on Sept. 5, and the WooSox had the pleasure of working alongside him.
Bruce the bat dog, and 11-month-old golden retriever, fetched the first bats of his career for the Red Wings on Thursday evening. He collected his first bat with little issue, although it took a few adjustments before Bruce's golden tail swished back to the dugout with the stick in his mouth. Later on, he needed an assist.
Top Red Sox prospect Kyle Teel assists Triple-A Rochester's bat dog, Bruce, during his first day on the job
Here's Brucie! 🐶@RocRedWings bat dog Bruce has a successful pro debut 😍@Nationals | @Nats_PlayerDev pic.twitter.com/6xN0VFsfwy
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 6, 2024
Bruce struggled to get the bat between his jaws in one of his later attempts to retrieve it. Teel held the bat in the air for Bruce as he gripped it correctly, and the young catcher pointed him toward the correct dugout before he trotted away again.
Bruce's debut went viral across social media and fans gushed about his moment with Teel. Red Sox fans didn't need another reason to love the top catching prospect, but his assist on Bruce's pickup earned him extra attention.
Teel is projected to reach the major leagues in 2025 alongside fellow top prospects, Roman Anthony and Marcelo Mayer. The three were promoted to Triple-A in mid-August, where Teel has batted .191/.282/.265 with two doubles and a homer over 17 games. Like Bruce, Teel has some adjustments to make as he continues his career at the highest level of the minor leagues, but the hits will come with time.