The Pirates 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft, outfielder Josh Bell, has been getting his taste of pro ball in Bradenton, Fla., for the Fall Instructional League.
For almost two weeks now, Bell has been taking part in workouts and intersquad games at Pirate City.
“It’s just a lot of reputation,” Bell said. “A lot of hitting, a lot of throwing. Just going through a throwing program, getting some good BP, getting some good outfield work everyday. I see improvement everyday and I guess everyone else does too, so I’m pretty happy.”
Bell hit .548 with 13 home runs, 54 RBI, 54 runs scored with a 1.054 slugging percentage as a senior for Dallas Jesuit (TX) High School. He struck out just five times in his 139 plate appearances this season.
But the talent that the 19-year-old Bell is surrounded by is much different from what he was used to in high school.
“The talent level, everyone is pretty amazing out here,“ Bell said. “Everyone is a professional athlete, which I’m not used to. But I’m definitely getting used to it. I’m loving it, being able to take things from every athlete, see what got them here. I’m trying to learn what they do, I’m trying to benefit from that. The pitching is definitely a lot harder than what I was seeing in high school. I’m definitely getting used to that as well. It just can only get better from here.”
The 6-foot-3, 206-pound switch hitter has been showing a lot of improvement from being able to work with coordinators one-on-one at the Instructional League.
“Basically in the cages, we all have our own little hitting instructor behind each cage telling us little tips here and there,“ Bell said. “We have people in the outfield helping us through every drill. You really cant let little things, bad habits, creep into your game play. The coaches are there, and they clean everything up. They really help you get to the top of your game. I’m definitely benefiting from that.”
Bell, who signed out of high school for a $5 M bonus, will stay in instructs for the full season, which runs through October 22nd.
“Having taking the summer off, I’m kind of behind on reps, or swings,“ Bell said of his goals by the end of Instructs. “So that’s basically what I’m trying to get back here, getting some extra work in and building a strong arm, getting ready to go into the off-season. I’m doing a throwing program in the off-season to get ready for the spring.”
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