Josh Bell (1B/OF, PIT) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ team leagues.

OWNED IN: 20% of Fleaflicker leagues.

ANALYSIS: Josh Bell was called up by the Pirates on July 8th and got a hit and scored a run as a pinch hitter in his first MLB game. In his second game he again came in off of the bench and hit a pinch hit grand slam. The next day he pinch hit once more, drew a walk, and again scored a run. Talk about doing the most he could do with what he was given.

His at-bats were impressive and efficient, but the amount of at bats at the MLB level in his near future is still very much up in the air. For some reason the Pirates are content with John Jaso and his .275/.352/.391 triple slash and solid defense at first base for now. It's probably because they are afraid of bringing Bell up too soon like they did with Pedro Alvarez and Gregory Polanco. Also, Bell isn't nearly as good of a defender at first base. So while we're all excited about Bell and his 1.000 average and amazing pinch hit heroics over the past weekend it's important to take a cautious approach to your expectations of him as a fantasy baseball asset this season. I hate to be a party pooping wet blanket, but that's the reality of the situation.

Bell will most likely be sent back to Triple-A after the All Star break unless there's an injury to Jaso or someone in the Pirate's outfield. If Bell is available in your league and it is a five outfielder league or any kind of keeper or dynasty league, you should certainly make the addition with the hope that I am dead wrong here folks. If Bell were to find his way into full time at bats he would likely be an OF 2/3 or a top 15ish 1B for the rest of the season. That alone makes him worth adding in deeper formats despite the long odds of regular playing time in his near future.