Pittsburgh Pirates Josh Bell: First Base Fantasy Sleeper

Pittsburgh Pirates’ first baseman Josh Bell is a fantasy baseball sleeper and rookie of the year contender. Target him early in your draft.

Pirates top prospect Josh Bell‘s debut may have excited Pirates’ fans but it was his next appearance that catapulted him into the consciousness of the fantasy baseball world. With the bases loaded, Bell despatched an Adam Warren changeup out of PNC Park.

In 2016, Bell went deep for a career-high 17 home runs across Triple-A and the majors. He also hit 31 doubles. He is projected for 58 runs, 12 home runs and 58 RBI with .276 AVG in 445 at-bats this season.

Bell has yet to produce the power numbers that were projected in the minors and may only develop into a 25 home run player rather than a 40 home run slugger. His mature approach at the plate will ensure that he is a big contributor in the runs, RBI and batting average categories.

Unlike most young hitters, Bell does not rack up strikeouts. Amazingly, in his brief 35-game stretch in the majors, Bell walked more than he struck out. He joined Ben Zobrist and Joe Panik as the only three players with more walks than strikeouts last year.

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Walks have always been part of his game. In the minors in 2015, he had 65 walks to 65 strikeouts.

Currently, Bell has an ADP of 315 behind Tommy Joseph (ADP 245), C.J. Cron (ADP 249) and Mitch Moreland (ADP 302). In OBP or points leagues, Bell has increased value and should be taken even earlier in drafts.

Although he is a switch-hitter, he is far more dominant against right-handers. It is an area of his game that is trending in the right direction but still has needs improving.

In 2015, he posted a .632 OPS vs. left-handed pitchers, which improved to .758 OPS across all levels in 2016. He only had 19 at-bats against left-handers in the majors, so there will be many tests to come this season. If Bell does struggle, the Pirates have David Freese (.963 OPS vs.LHP) to protect him against the toughest lefties.

Another sign of Bell’s mature approach and perhaps a key to his future success is that he went opposite field 42.9% of the time. The ability to wait for the pitch he wants and then hit with power to all parts of the field is an exciting combination.

In most leagues, the 24-year-old has dual 1B/OF eligibility, giving him a big advantage over the aforementioned Tommy Joseph, C.J Cron and Mitch Moreland, and many other corner infielders.

Bell will be the Pirates’ Opening Day first baseman, batting second behind Josh Harrison, and ahead of the potent trio of Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco.

MLB Pipeline ranks Bell as the No.27 prospect in the game but due to his playing time opportunities, he will start the season as one of the favorites for the NL Rookie of the Year.

Next: Marlins Justin Bour: 30 Home Run Potential in 2017?

Bell underwent left knee surgery at the start of February and his availability for Opening Day was in jeopardy. The injury concern suppressed his value in early drafts but that will change now that Bell has played a few Spring Training games. He feels confident in his knee and is unconcerned about being 20 at-bats behind the rest of his teammates. Bell is a nice sleeper pick for 2017.

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