Who doesn’t want to experience those cheers and that captivating aura of playing under lights, where with every swing and every pitch the heart beats fast? It’s a lifelong dream for any rookie! On Friday, a former Virginia standout and the Chicago White Sox’s top catching prospect had his dream come true. After a thrilling 2025 with the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, the Charlotte Knights, Kyle Teel got his call-up to the majors. And as he got ready to bat sixth against the Kansas City Royals, he had to share the news with two of his biggest supporters. Obviously, his parents!

Did you know Teel was a part of the Red Sox earlier? Yes, the Boston Red Sox had picked him 14th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. But a year later, he was traded to the White Sox along with his two teammates Braden Montgomery and Chase Meidroth in exchange for Garrett Crochet.

Once he made his way to the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate, Teel showcased his skills, hitting .295 with eight home runs and 30 RBIs in 50 games and that’s what eventually earned him a call-up to the majors. The White Sox, looking for new vigor, added Teel to their line-up for the game against the Kansas City Royals.

As the news broke to him, Teel knew who he wanted to talk to immediately. First, he called his mom and jokingly asked her what she was up to. When he heard she was free, he told her, “That’s good because you need to book a flight to Chicago,” hinting at the good news. His eyes were filled with happy tears.

Next, he FaceTimed his dad and didn’t say much, but his father read him right away. Without taking any guesses, he asked him, “Are you going to Chicago?” And before he even got his answer, his father continued, “I’ll see you in Chicago tomorrow.” Well! You can imagine the joy and the pride.

The unwavering support from parents has been the backbone of Teel’s success.

Who are Kyle Teel’s parents? Meet Garett Teel and Janine LiButti

“I give his father a lot of credit guiding him and in hindsight, he made all the right decisions.” These were the words of Mahwah High head baseball coach Jeff Remo. Kyle Teel’s path to the majors is strongly connected to his family’s athletic prowess. The passion and skill for baseball run deep in Teel’s blood.

Kyle’s dad, Garett Teel, used to play professional baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers had picked Garett in the 12th round of the 1989 MLB Draft—yes! He played catcher at the minor levels, where he learned a lot about the game. Not only did he play baseball, but Garett also coached. And as of now, he runs a training facility called TeelsBaseball.

Teel’s mother, Janine LiButti, also has extensive athletic experience. Janine was a great softball player at William Paterson University in New Jersey. Her name appears 14 times in the university’s softball record books. Well, everything makes sense now!

Garett and Janine worked together to create an environment that shaped Teel’s attitude to the game, instilling a sense of discipline and resilience in him. But wait—is Kyle the only one from his family crafting a name in baseball? No, there’s one more!

Aidan Teel, Kyle’s younger brother, is also creating a name for himself in baseball. Aidan went to the University of Virginia with Kyle, where he showcased his ability to play a variety of positions. Under head coach Brian O’Connor at UVA, the two became the eighth pair of brothers to play together.

Kyle Teel grew up in a very supportive family environment

Behind those glimmers and shimmers, it was the sweat, sacrifice, and faith of his parents that made Kyle Teel what he is today. He learned a lot about the game’s details from Garett, whether it was improving his batting technique or learning how to think about catching.

Janine’s effect was just as strong as well. She was the one to provide Kyle the much needed balance when he was juggling his sports obligations with his schoolwork.

Both of Teel’s parents were very interested in their sons’ growth. It was normal to have practices on the weekends, talk about strategy, and analyze the game afterward. This made for an immersive environment that valued sportsmanship and learning all the time.

Kyle Teel proudly talks about his parents and their support. During an interview, he said, “I remember being able to go out and ask my mom to have a catch with me. When it comes to my dad, I was with him every day in the batting cage. And my brother was my go-to just to play baseball with, play street hockey with, play all sports with growing up.”

Kyle’s family support was vital as he transitioned from high school to college baseball. At the University of Virginia, he quickly became a standout catcher, winning awards and catching the eye of MLB scouts. His parents’ values influenced his decision to attend UVA, which is known for its tough training and competitiveness.

When the news of Kyle’s MLB call-up broke, Garett couldn’t hold back his joy as he announced the news on his baseball academy’s social media handle, too.

Everyone is backing Teel as he steps onto the diamond in the majors now. This is his big test yet and given his talent and dedication, he is likely to come out with flying colors.