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Pittsburgh Pirates Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 17, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Pirates logo during the game between the Pirates and the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field. The Yankees defeat the Pirates 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Pirates logo during the game between the Pirates and the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field. The Yankees defeat the Pirates 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Josh Bell, 1B

Birthdate: 8/14/92 (24 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: AAA, MLB
Stats in 2016: .295/.382/.468, 14 HR, 3 SB (minor league stats only)

Bell is a guy who has been on the prospect radar since he was drafted in the 2nd round in 2011. He was given a significant bonus in one of the last non-slotted drafts to buy him away from his college commitment.

Bell has taken his time to develop, but he’s certainly turned into exactly the type of player that the Pirates had envisioned, with tremendous ability to make contact from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter with tremendous raw power.

Bell is an extremely intelligent player, and he has worked hard to become tremendous at pitch recognition

Bell is an extremely intelligent player, and he has worked hard to become tremendous at pitch recognition, holding him to limited strikeout rates for a big guy. He’s also someone who has excellent work ethic, so even at 240-250 pounds, he’s athletic enough that he could play outfield.

Bell made the transition to first base full time at the upper minors after working in the outfield on his way up, but it was not due to his defensive issues, more due to a stacked Pirate outfield that they wanted to find a way to help him crack into the big league club.

He may not be a guy to hit 30 home runs in 2017, but he will be a guy who has that kind of ability as he builds into his frame.

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