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JOSH BELL
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CORNER OUTFIELDER
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Born: August 8, 1992 Height: 6′ 4″ Weight: 195 Bats: Both Throws: Right Drafted: 2nd Round, 61st Overall, 2011 How Acquired: Draft High School: Jesuit College Prep Agent: Scott Boras |
WTM’S PIRATE PLAYER PROFILES |
| Once the dust settled at the end of the draft, Bell figured to be the main determining factor in whether the Pirates’ 2011 draft was regarded as a success. With the team struggling on offense in the majors, Bell fills a “need” as a strong hitting prospect in a system that is thin on hitting prospects and nearly devoid of power. He was widely regarded as the best prep hitter in the 2011 draft, a switch hitter who projects to have plus power, as well as plus hitting skills, from both sides of the plate. Defensively he profiles as a corner outfielder, and he only grades as an average runner.
Bell was expected to be extraordinarily difficult to sign. Baseball America rated him the 15th best prospect and 5th best hitter in the draft, but he fell to the second round after sending a letter to all teams urging them not to draft him because he intended to honor his commitment to the University of Texas. Bell comes from a family that is both well off and well educated, and his mother was known to want him to go to college. There was considerable speculation that he wouldn’t sign at any price, but the Pirates succeeded in signing him for a $5M bonus, nearly double the previous record for a post-first-round pick. 2012 Bell started off slowly, as he struggled with pitch recognition and often swung late. He started coming around after a few games, though, and hit .300 in his last ten games. Unfortunately, he hurt his knee sliding into second and required surgery. His recovery didn’t go well, as he continued to have irritation, leading to fluid buildup. The Pirates had expected him to return during the summer, but he wasn’t ready then or for fall instructionals, either. Instead, he was looking at the possibility of further surgery. Bell attended strenuous workouts in the off-season and seemed fully healthy in spring training. He was still getting around late on most pitches, so his hitting has to be a little cause for concern. He’ll return to West Virginia. |
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STATS
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2013: Minor league contract. |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: $5,000,000 MiLB Debut: 2012 MLB Debut: MiLB FA Eligible: 2017 MLB FA Eligible: Rule 5 Eligible: 2015 Added to 40-Man: Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.000 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 7, 2011: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round, 61st overall pick; signed on August 15. |
