Pittsburgh Pirates outfield prospect Josh Bell has been selected to MLB’s Futures Game. Bell is the lone representative for the Pirates. He’s been playing for the Bradenton Marauders this season, and putting up outstanding numbers so far. He’s got a .336/.386/.518 line in 274 at-bats this season, and the numbers in June have been even better. Bell is on fire this month, with a .427/.482/.707 line with five homers in 75 at-bats.
One issue for Bell early in the season was his struggles against left-handed pitchers. He has done a much better job of that lately, getting his OPS against lefties up to .833, after it was in the low .600’s a month ago.
Bell is in good company as far as Pirates outfield prospects who have appeared in the Futures Game. The current outfield trio in Pittsburgh of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, and Gregory Polanco have all appeared in the game in the past.