MLB Awards: 2017 NL Rookie of the Year Ballot

3. Josh Bell: Pittsburgh Pirates

Josh Bell made quite the impression with the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, appearing to be a future building block for the lineup.

It was a change from his debut last year. He had a brief 45 game stint in Pittsburgh last season, and while he showed potential, there were still some questions about his future. He had a decent .273/.368/.406 batting line, hitting eight doubles and three homers in 152 plate appearances. While those were solid enough numbers, Bell did not provide the power he had displayed in the minors.

That changed this year. The Pirates made Bell their starting first baseman, and he provided immediate results. On the season, Bell had a .255/.334/.466 batting line, slugging 26 homers and 26 doubles. He even played solid defense at first, finishing fourth in assists and third in double plays and range factor.

Moving forward, the Pirates are a team that may have a few moving parts. Andrew McCutchen may be on the move this offseason, and the Pirates are looking for players to build around. Bell appears to be that type of a talent, a player that could emerge as one of the leaders for Pittsburgh for into the next decade.

Josh Bell has begin to establish himself as a key piece for the Pirates. If he continues to develop, he may become one of the better young MLB first basemen.