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Early Candidates for MLB Comeback Player of the Year

By Mitchell Vareldzis

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 30: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 30, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - APRIL 30: Josh Bell #55 of the Pittsburgh Pirates at Globe Life Park in Arlington on April 30, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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MLB Comeback Player of the Year
(Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

MLB Comeback Player of the Year Candidate: Josh Bell

Pittsburgh Pirates – First Baseman

This also may be the only candidate that you argue as more of a breakout candidate than a comeback player of the year. Considering his previous seasons, he never really made it known to the league just who he is.

A career .268 hitter doesn’t jump off the page. He had one season of nearly 30 homers and 90 RBI but one of those in now his fourth season doesn’t seem consistent and almost feels like a fluke.

So far, Bell is certainly not hitting like it was a fluke.

He has now matched the number of home runs he had last season with 12. He is scorching the ball right now; currently on a 15-game hitting streak.

After April, it would have been almost impossible to believe that Bell was going to be the power hitter he was scouted as and that the Pirates needed. Well, the old saying is April showers bring May flowers, and Bell is now in full bloom.

The hitting streak, which goes back to April 28, has increased his batting average from .270 to .333, his on-base percentage from .350 to .404 and his slugging percentage from .584 to .693.

He has doubled his home run total from six to 12 and driven in 21 runs.

At this pace, Bell may not only be the comeback player, but start the all-star game, and swoop in to grab the National League MVP.

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