31.2 F
Pittsburgh

Josh Bell is the Pirates Prospects 2015 Minor League Player of the Year

Published:

For the second year in a row, Josh Bell has been named the Pirates Prospects Minor League Player of the Year. Bell wrapped up a season where he combined for a .317/.393/.446 line in 572 plate appearances between Altoona and Indianapolis. His OPS ranked first of all Pirates minor league hitters with 350+ plate appearances. He also ranked second in average, first in OBP, and second in slugging in that same group. He finished seventh in the system in doubles (24), third in triples (9), and second in total bases (218).

Bell spent the 2015 season learning a new position, switching to first base in order to secure a future spot in the majors with the Pirates. He struggled with his defense throughout the year, but slowly started looking more comfortable at the position. By the end of the year he didn’t look like a guy who was ready for the majors from a defensive standpoint, but a guy who looked like he could actually play the first base position at some point in the future.

Despite the focus on defense, Bell didn’t see his offensive numbers drop. In fact, there was a specific developmental focus in that area as well. He was hitting for average and getting on base in Altoona, but wasn’t showing much power, with a .120 ISO. The Pirates had him experimenting with a leg kick in order to generate more power. He was eventually promoted to Triple-A, and made an adjustment to the leg kick which started generating more results. While with Indianapolis, he exploded for a .347/.441/.504 line in 145 plate appearances, showing an improvement with a .157 ISO. His power could still use some improvements, as anyone who has seen him take batting practice can see there’s more untapped power there. For now, he’s heading in the right direction with the bat.

Bell should return to Indianapolis next season, and could be in the majors by the middle of the year if he continues making positive strides with his defense at first base and his ability to hit for power.

Below you will find our Minor League Players of the Year for each level in the farm system, our previous overall award winners, and the 2015 monthly awards.

Previous Pirates Prospects Minor League Players of the Year

2014 – Josh Bell

2013 – Andrew Lambo

2012 – Gregory Polanco

2011 – Starling Marte

2015 Pirates Prospects Minor League Players of the Year By Level

Indianapolis – Keon Broxton, OF (.256/.352/.423, 7 HR, 367 PA)

Altoona – Max Moroff, 2B (.293/.374/.409, 7 HR, 612 PA)

Bradenton – Austin Meadows, OF (.307/.357/.407, 7 HR, 556 PA)

West Virginia – Jordan Luplow, 3B (.264/.366/.464, 12 HR, 465 PA)

Morgantown – Logan Hill, OF (.297/.402/.479, 7 HR, 261 PA)

Bristol – Carlos Munoz, 1B (.325/.427/.587, 11 HR, 249 PA)

GCL Pirates – Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B (.333/.434/.375, 0 HR, 175 PA)

2015 Pirates Prospects Player of the Month Awards

April

Overall – Deibinson Romero

Indianapolis – Deibinson Romero

Altoona – Josh Bell

Bradenton – Jin-De Jhang

West Virginia – Chase Simpson

May

Overall – Alen Hanson

Indianapolis – Alen Hanson

Altoona – Josh Bell

Bradenton – Austin Meadows

West Virginia – Michael Suchy

June

Overall – Adam Frazier

Indianapolis – Brent Morel

Altoona – Adam Frazier

Bradenton – Harold Ramirez

West Virginia – Michael Suchy

July

Overall – Carlos Munoz

Indianapolis – Keon Broxton

Altoona – Dan Gamache

Bradenton – Harold Ramirez

West Virginia – Jordan Luplow

Morgantown – Logan Hill

Bristol – Carlos Munoz

GCL Pirates – Ke’Bryan Hayes

August

Overall – Josh Bell

Indianapolis – Josh Bell

Altoona – Mel Rojas Jr.

Bradenton – Wyatt Mathisen

West Virginia – Pablo Reyes

Morgantown – Mitchell Tolman

Bristol – Nick Buckner

GCL Pirates – Edison Lantigua

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

Related Articles

Latest Articles