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