The Pittsburgh Pirates had a disappointing 2016 season. As the off-season begins, it is time to grade out the club. Today we take a look at one of the Pirates top offensive prospects.
In 2011, the Pittsburgh Pirates had the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft, choosing Gerrit Cole with the first selection. Despite a rough 2016, we all know how that pick has turned out so far. However, another top player was chosen in that draft by the Pirates in the form of Josh Bell.
Bell impressed throughout the past few years in the Pirates minor league system and developed into one of the organization’s best young stars in the process.
His MLB debut was highly anticipated by fans and he didn’t disappoint after dressing in a Pirates uniform for the first time on July 8.
Bell showed an incredible amount of poise for a 23-year old getting a taste of his first major league action, reaching base in his first four plate appearances as a Pirate. In that span, Bell drew two walks and compiled two hits including a pinch-hit grand slam in only his second career at-bat.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OP860PZ4bRs]Bell, the Pirates No. 3 ranked prospect at the time, was sent back down to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 16 to make room for Cole who was coming off of the disabled list. However, that wasn’t his only taste of the big leagues in 2016.
The first baseman was recalled on Aug. 20 after Jung Ho Kang was placed on the DL with a left shoulder injury and continued to have an impact for the Bucs.
[irp posts=”10307″ name=”Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 Gradeout – Jung Ho Kang”]With his return back to the major league roster, Bell finally got an opportunity to start on a few occasions and thrived in the role. He hit .273 with one home run and four RBIs in 33 at-bats in the month of August and hit .258 with one home run and 11 RBIs in 89 September at-bats.
Bell finished the year by hitting at a .273/.368/.775 clip with three home runs and 19 RBIs.
When looking at basic statistics, it’s easy to like what Bell did in his first glimpse of MLB action. He’s a top talent and a big part of the Pirates future. He didn’t necessarily play like a rookie, showing exceptional prowess at the plate; however, there is still room for improvement as his career progresses.
Impressive Plate Discipline
Bell’s ability to hit for power and drive in runs is undeniable. The kid is good. But the biggest surprise to those that tuned in to his at-bats is his tremendous plate discipline and composure especially for someone his age.
In 152 plate appearances, Bell compiled an impressive walk rate of 13.8 percent and struck out at a 12.5 percent rate. He finished the year with 21 walks and 19 strikeouts, which is uncanny for a young player.
It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that Bell showed so much patience at the plate. He did display stellar plate discipline throughout 487 career minor league games, but his transition from the minors to the majors was a pleasant sight for Pirates fans and those within the organization.
Strong Left-Handed Hitter
What makes Bell unique within the Pirates lineup is that he has the ability to hit from both sides of the plate.
This season, Bell only had 19 major league at-bats from the right side of the plate, but he also only compiled four hits for a .211 average and walked and struck out three times each.
Bell had 131 at-bats from the right side while playing at Indianapolis in 2016, compiling a .267 average. He had more success in Indy from the left side of the batters box, sporting a .307 average with 11 home runs and 45 RBIs in 290 at-bats.
The same success as a lefty that Bell had in the minors translated to his time in Pittsburgh. Bell saw more opportunities from the left side of the plate, 109 to be exact, and hit .284 with all three of his home runs and 18 of his 19 RBIs coming as a left handed hitter.
Despite not having a ton of success as a right handed hitter at the major league level, Bell does have the talent to hit for average and power from both sides of the plate. However, his work in the minors and in Pittsburgh shows that his strength is from the left side of the plate and that he will need to show consistency from the right side in the future.
Improvements Needed on Defense
With Starling Marte, Andrew McCutchen and Gregory Polanco occupying the outfield for the Pirates, Bell, who was drafted as an outfielder, began the transition to first base at the end of 2014.
The move was made in order to give the young prospect a more direct path to the majors but there have been some obstacles.
Bell has had struggles defensively during his transition as he committed 30 errors in 212 career minor league games at the position.
[irp posts=”10438″ name=”Pittsburgh Pirates 2016 Gradeout – Gregory Polanco”]At the major league level, Bell has received playing time both in the outfield and at first base. Bell committed only one error in over 100 innings played in right field, while committing three errors in over 150 innings at first base.
Bell’s up and down transformation from outfielder to first baseman hasn’t affected his ability at the plate, but it is an aspect of his game that he has and must improve on moving forward.
The Pirates 2014 Minor League Player of the Year had some instances in 2016 where he showed his inexperience at first base, but he indeed has the talent to become a solid option at the position for the Pirates in the near future.
Conclusion and Final Grade
The Pittsburgh Pirates got a glimpse of what Bell brings to the table in 2016 and it was a pleasant first look.
Despite a few struggles on defense, Bell held his own at first base for the most part and showed rare maturity at the plate. Because of this, he earned a B+ grade. I went back and forth about whether or not to give him a B or an A, but I feel as if we didn’t see enough of him for an A to be given out.
Bell is a huge part of the Pirates future plans and though 2016 didn’t end well, this 23-year old first baseman is definitely a reason to hold onto hope when it comes to 2017 and the years beyond that.
What grade would you give Josh Bell?
Agree with the grade we gave Bell? Do you disagree? Be sure to cast your vote in our poll posted below!
Our grade drops at Noon, but what grade would YOU give Josh Bell for his debut season?
— Jason Rollison (@jrollisonpgh) October 17, 2016
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