Trevor Bell

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #10 prospect in 2010
  Bell signed for $925,000 as the 37th overall pick in 2005 but was toiling in relief in high Class A three years later. He risked being better known as the grandson of Bob Bell, who starred as Bozo the Clown for 24 years on Chicago television, than for his pitching. But he grew up and improved his command in 2009, notched the system's second-best ERA at 2.70 and finished the season in the majors. Bell's first pitch in the big leagues registered at 94 mph, and he sits at 88-92 with life down in the zone. He works fast, relying on the cutting and sinking action on his fastball to pitch to both sides of the plate and induce weak contact. When it's on, his mid-70s slider features late tilt. He's a bulldog on the mound who seems to execute best when his back is against the wall. If he's not hitting spots with his fastball, Bell gets knocked around because the quality of his stuff is merely average. His slider is inconsistent, and while his changeup has improved, it's still wasn't good enough to keep big league lefties at bay. They batted .469/.526/.673 against him. Bell will need above-average command to thrive in the big leagues, and it's a trait he's shown at most every stop in his minor league career. The Angels view him as a back-of-the-rotation starter or a bullpen arm who will compete for a big league job in spring training.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #21 prospect in 2007
  Bell has one of the most intriguing backgrounds in the minors. The grandson of Bob Bell (aka Bozo the Clown), Bell has been around show business for most of his life and appeared in commercials for Hot Wheels, Kellogg's and Old Navy. His mother Barbara is a television casting director. Bell was recognized by Baseball America as the top 14-year-old in the nation in 2001. He was a two-way star as an amateur but when his fastball velocity climbed to the mid-90s during his senior year in high school, he made his money on the mound, signing for $925,000 as the 37th overall pick. His fastball velocity hasn't been the same as a pro. He pitched at 88-90 mph for most of 2006, bumping 92. After he analyzed video of himself as an amateur with Orem pitching coach Zeke Zimmerman, Bell improved the tempo of his delivery and found a little more velocity. He'll snap off a plus curveball will late bite, but he needs to improve the command and consistency of his secondary stuff. He also throws a slider and changeup. Bell made strides in his approach to pitching and gets ahead of hitters with his fastball. He led the Pioneer League in innings, and he profiles as a durable back-of-the- rotation starter or middle reliever. Bell should spend most of 2007 in low Class A.
• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #13 prospect in 2006
  Los Angeles' top pick (a supplemental first-rounder for the loss of free agent Troy Percival) last June, Bell had the most intriguing background in the 2005 draft. He has worked as an actor, appearing in commercials for Hot Wheels, Kellogg's and Old Navy. Show business comes naturally to him, as his grandfather Bob was a folk hero on Chicago television for more than two decades as Bozo the Clown. His mother Barbara is a television casting director. On the diamond, Bell was Baseball America's choice as the top 14-year-old player in the nation in 2001. He leveled off a bit as a high school sophomore and junior, and he was known more for his prodigious power than his arm until last spring, when his velocity climbed into the mid-90s. In one start in front of Angels GM Bill Stoneman, Bell struck out 10 in a complete-game two-hitter and was throwing 90 mph in the final inning. He took awhile to come to terms for a $925,000 bonus, so he pitched just eight innings in Rookie ball. Bell threw 90-93 mph with plus life on his fastball in his limited debut, and he showed the ability to get his solid curveball over for strikes even when he fell behind in the count. Both his curve and his slider have the potential to be above-average pitches, though he probably will be better off if he focuses on one breaking ball. He has started to gain a feel for a circle changeup. Bell has a thick, muscular body and his delivery isn't without effort. He most likely will begin the 2006 season in extended spring training and join Rookie-level Orem at midseason.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Pioneer League #16 prospect in 2006
  A supplemental first-round pick in 2005, Bell pitched just eight innings last summer and drew more attention for his background than his mound exploits. His grandfather Bob was a Chicago television institution as Bozo the Clown, his mother Barbara is a casting director and Trevor has acted in commercials. Bell started making more of a name for himself on the mound this year, leading the league in innings (82) while pitching at 90-91 mph and touching 94 with his fastball. He gets his heater inside on hitters quite easily, but relies on it too much because he lacks trust in his secondary offerings. His changeup is becoming an average pitch, and he'll probably be better off when he picks between his slider and curveball and focuses on one breaking pitch.

• December, 2006 Scouting Report
  Bell has one of the most intriguing backgrounds in the minors. The grandson of Bob Bell (aka Bozo the Clown), Bell has been around show business for most of his life and appeared in commercials for Hot Wheels, Kellogg's and Old Navy. His mother Barbara is a television casting director. Bell was recognized by Baseball America as the top 14-year-old in the nation in 2001. He was a two-way star as an amateur but when his fastball velocity climbed to the mid-90s during his senior year in high school, he made his money on the mound, signing for $925,000 as the 37th overall pick. His fastball velocity hasn't been the same as a pro. He pitched at 88-90 mph for most of 2006, bumping 92. After he analyzed video of himself as an amateur with Orem pitching coach Zeke Zimmerman, Bell improved the tempo of his delivery and found a little more velocity. He'll snap off a plus curveball will late bite, but he needs to improve the command and consistency of his secondary stuff. He also throws a slider and changeup. Bell made strides in his approach to pitching and gets ahead of hitters with his fastball. He led the Pioneer League in innings, and he profiles as a durable back-of-the- rotation starter or middle reliever. Bell should spend most of 2007 in low Class A.