The Pittsburgh Pirates today recalled first baseman Josh Bell from Triple-A Indianapolis. To make room for Bell on the 25-man active roster, right-handed pitcher Tyler Glasnow has been optioned to Triple-A. Bell, who has no previous big league experience, will wear uniform #55.
At the time of his promotion to the big leagues today, Bell was hitting .324 (101-for-312) with 19 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs, 53 RBI, .407 on-base percentage, .535 slugging percentage and .942 OPS in 83 games this season with Indianapolis.
He entered today ranked first in the International League in hits, extra base hits (36), total bases (167), slugging percentage and OPS, second in batting average, tied for second in RBI and third in on-base percentage.
Last month the 23-year-old Bell hit .364 with nine doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 26 RBI in 30 games. His 26 RBI last month were tied for most among all International League players while his 77 total bases ranked first in the league. In addition, his seven home runs were tied for the second-most in the International League last month.
Bell, who was Pittsburgh’s second round selection in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, entered this season ranked as the organization’s third-best prospect by Baseball America and MLB.com