Raider Tello, an All-American from the 2022 Pasadena City College baseball team, has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies today. Tello was an ABCA/Rawlings All-Midwest Region Second Team selection in a brilliant 2024 season playing for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes.
Tello is the second former Lancer under current head coach Pat McGee to join a MLB organization this month after 2018 alumnus Nathan Garkow hooked on with the Toronto Blue Jays.
In his one PCC season, Tello (Arcadia High) broke four Lancers single-season school records, including most hits (77), most runs batted in (53), most at-bats (191), and most doubles (19, since broken) as he helped the Lancers to a 28-15 record in '22. That was the most victories by a PCC team since 1951 and third highest in school history. Tello led the team in batting average with a .403 mark, fourth highest in school history, and his .639 slugging percentage is second on the all-time Lancers list.
In 42 games played, the All-South Coast Conference First Team shortstop had 21 multiple hits games, including two 5-hit games, three 4-hit games, and six 3-hit contests. He hit safely in 37 of the 42 games. He started his collegiate career on a 21-game hitting streak. In state rankings, Tello finished fourth in the state in doubles, fifth in total hits (led state at end of regular season), and 12th in RBI.
Tello was named the 2021-22 PCC Men's Athlete of the Year for his accomplishments.
After earning a scholarship to Big 10 Conference member Iowa, Tello flourished as a third baseman in his junior season. He led the team in hitting with a .357 average in 54 games this past season. He collected 79 hits, 19 doubles, four triples, and seven home runs and knocked in 60 RBI.
Tello appeared in 113 career games for Iowa over two seasons with a .335 batting average. He totaled 11 home runs and 110 RBI while being a solid defender, sporting a .963 fielding percentage.
The Hawkeyes finished the '24 season with a 31-23 overall record. Iowa placed fourth in the Big Ten regular season standings and made its ninth straight Big Ten Tournament appearance.
graphic courtesy of Iowa Hawkeyes baseball X site
