Official Site of the Pirates · May 18, 2017
Bell adds glovework to improved pop at plate
Josh Bell makes a nice diving play to his left on a hard-hit ground ball, then gets to his feet and steps on the bag at first for the outPITTSBURGH -- When he reached the Majors last year, there were two questions about Josh Bell: Would the high-average hitter show more home-run power? How would the former outfielder handle himself at first base?
All Bell has done this season is lead the Pirates in home runs and quickly emerge as a steady defender. Entering Thursday's series finale against the Nationals at PNC Park, Bell had eight homers, a .500 slugging percentage, only one error and two Defensive Runs Saved -- behind only David Freese and Josh Harrison among all Pirates players.