Josh Bell was a second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates and made his Big Leage debut with the club in 2016. Since that time, he has been traded on four different occasions and is now with his sixth major league team.
MLBbro.com reporter Brett Quintyne spoke with the well-traveled hired gun about his latest deadline trade, his mission in Arizona, life goals and the Bros who inspired his MLB journey.
“Another deadline, another trade,” Bell told MLBbro.com as he is used to moving around mid-season. “I’m happy to be on a better team with aspirations of going on to the postseason and doing some damage there,” he added as he looks to be in the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Josh Bell Is A Rare Switch-Hitter
The number of switch-hitters has decreased over the years and once again that number will be under 10 percent in 2024. It’s always been part of Bell’s game.
“I started switch-hitting as a kid, virtually every at-bat I would go back and forth,” he said as he spoke about his early memories of hitting from both sides of the plate. “As the competition got better, I started matching up lefty righty and have pushed that through to the Big Leagues so I am definitely thankful for it,” Bell said of that skill set.
Josh Bell Had Strong Foundation Of Women Driving Him To Give Back
“Having support, educated women. When I have questions I feel I can always go to them,” Josh said when asked about his mother and sister being professors at different universities. “As I get older, I wonder if I’m going to go back to college, or what I will do after the game. It’s great to have that family support into my adulthood,” he continued.
“Giving back is important, it helps my game. It makes me realize there is a bigger World out there than just baseball. I’m helping the kids but they are helping me as well,” Bell gushed about the book club he launched in 2020. On a monthly basis, he helps select books that will inspire children to become better individuals.
Even though Texas is known for its high school football, he didn’t participate.
“My dad tore up his knee in college and said if he ever had a son, he’s not going to play football,” Bell gave as his reasoning for not playing on the gridiron. “It was a tough couple of years with the coaches in my ear, but I made the right choice,” he added.
Which MLBbros Inspired Josh Bell?
Away from the diamond he likes college football. “I was committed to play baseball at the University of Texas but my best friend went to Texas A & M, and another good friend went to TCU. If it’s on I’ll watch it.” Bell spoke of rooting for the teams that play in his home state.
And who are the Bros that Josh Bell admired as he was coming up in the game?
“The first guy that comes to mind is Prince Fielder,” he recalled. “Obviously Griffey. Seeing CC Sabathia everywhere. I had the chance to play against Brandon Phillips a couple of times. Those are the ones that stand out for me.”
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