Tyler Glasnow on Saturday makes his highly anticipated Triple-A debut and also on the Saturday the Pirates will be promoting top hitting prospect Josh Bell to Triple-A Indianapolis. Bell viewed as the Pirates long-term first baseman, was named the Pirates 2014 Minor League Player of the Year last fall. In 2014 Bell hit a combined .325 (138-for-425) with 22 doubles, four triples, nine home runs, 60 RBI and a .459 slugging percentage between Single-A Bradenton and Double-A Altoona this season. He was named to both the Florida State League’s mid- and post-season All-Star teams while also representing the Pirates organization at the All-Star Futures Game in Minnesota. Bell also took home Florida State League Player-of-the-Year honors after leading the league with a .335 batting average and .502 slugging percentage.
This season Bell has hit .307/.376/.427 in Double-A Altoona, with 5 home runs and 60 RBIs. Bell is regarded by most publications as a top-50 prospect in the game. He has been projected as reaching the Majors in 2016.
2015 Stats (AA Altoona) .307 – 5 HR – 60 RBI