Former Indianapolis Indians first baseman Josh Bell has been selected to the International League Postseason All-Star Team. The announcement was made by IL officials on Tuesday.
The switch-hitter batted .295 with 14 home runs and a team-leading 60 RBIs over 114 games with the Indians this season. His .324 average through July 1 trailed only teammate Adam Frazier (.333) among qualifying IL hitters.
The Irving, Texas, native is currently 11-for-27 with a .541 OBP and two home runs in 14 games with the Pirates.
Bell’s dangerous capabilities at the plate were on full display April 22 in Louisville. He finished 4-for-5 with a grand slam and five RBIs to complete the cycle – the Tribe’s first since 2012. It would be the first of three grand slams for Bell this season, one of which coming in Pittsburgh as his first big league home run on July 9.
His performance in that game would be enough to clinch IL Batter of the Week honors for April 18-24 – a span in which he hit .400 as he notched three doubles, a triple, and two home runs.
The nod is Bell’s second of the season after previously being chosen to participate in the 2016 Triple-A All-Star Game in Charlotte, N.C. He received his first career Major League promotion on July 8 and was not able to participate.
Bell has been named a Mid-Season All-Star every year since 2013 and was a Postseason All-Star selection in 2013 and 2014.
SOURCE: Indianapolis Indians ♦ PHOTO: Brian Groce