Rob Bell

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #1 prospect in 1999
  Background: Termed the key to the deal by Reds general manager Jim Bowden, Bell was acquired in November from the Braves--along with lefthander Denny Neagle and outfielder Michael Tucker--for lefthander Mike Remlinger and second baseman Bret Boone. Bell was included in the deal, with regret, after the Braves became convinced the Reds would deal Boone elsewhere if he weren't included. Bell had shown steady progress in four years in the Braves system, improving his ERA and hits/innings ratio every year, and he finished sixth among Class A pitchers in both innings and strikeouts in 1998. He becomes the first pitcher named the Reds' No. 1 prospect in the decade. Strengths: Bell's best pitch is a hard curveball that has been compared to those thrown by big leaguers Darryl Kile and Gregg Olson. Bell's big frame gives it an excellent angle, making it more difficult to hit and easier for Bell to throw it consistently for strikes. Bell's fastball registered only 86-88 mph when he was drafted but he has increased his velocity to the 90-93 range as he has matured. Bell's added strength and ability to throw all his pitches for strikes has enabled him to consistently work late into games while maintaining his raw stuff. He has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation workhorse. Weaknesses: Braves pitching prospects traditionally are well grounded in the art of changing speeds, but Bell needs more repetitions to perfect his straight changeup. Because he throws so many strikes, Bell allows more hits than he should and will need to learn how to pitch off the strike zone with his best stuff. The Future: Braves officials felt Bell had a chance to be something special--strong words from an organization where the pitcher of the year is also usually the Cy Young Award winner. Bell will start 1999 in Double-A, but the Reds' temptation to rush him due to his polish may be offset by the big league club's deep rotation.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #4 prospect in 1999
  Bell claimed a place in the Top 10 despite winning just three games. He won his first three starts, offsetting a scary elbow injury that shut him down for 100 days but did not require surgery. But he had no wins in his other nine starts despite a 3.13 overall ERA while exhibiting pinpoint command. "He's probably one of the fiercest competitors in the league," said Runge, who managed Bell last year at Class A Danville in the Braves organization. "He will be a blue-chipper as a starter." After being traded from the Braves last November, Bell earned two of his three wins against Runge's team.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #59 prospect in 2000
• Ranked Baseball America's #35 prospect in 1999
• Ranked Baseball America's #68 prospect in 1998

• December, 1998 Scouting Report
  Background: Termed the key to the deal by Reds general manager Jim Bowden, Bell was acquired in November from the Braves--along with lefthander Denny Neagle and outfielder Michael Tucker--for lefthander Mike Remlinger and second baseman Bret Boone. Bell was included in the deal, with regret, after the Braves became convinced the Reds would deal Boone elsewhere if he weren't included. Bell had shown steady progress in four years in the Braves system, improving his ERA and hits/innings ratio every year, and he finished sixth among Class A pitchers in both innings and strikeouts in 1998. He becomes the first pitcher named the Reds' No. 1 prospect in the decade. Strengths: Bell's best pitch is a hard curveball that has been compared to those thrown by big leaguers Darryl Kile and Gregg Olson. Bell's big frame gives it an excellent angle, making it more difficult to hit and easier for Bell to throw it consistently for strikes. Bell's fastball registered only 86-88 mph when he was drafted but he has increased his velocity to the 90-93 range as he has matured. Bell's added strength and ability to throw all his pitches for strikes has enabled him to consistently work late into games while maintaining his raw stuff. He has the potential to be a front-of-the-rotation workhorse. Weaknesses: Braves pitching prospects traditionally are well grounded in the art of changing speeds, but Bell needs more repetitions to perfect his straight changeup. Because he throws so many strikes, Bell allows more hits than he should and will need to learn how to pitch off the strike zone with his best stuff. The Future: Braves officials felt Bell had a chance to be something special--strong words from an organization where the pitcher of the year is also usually the Cy Young Award winner. Bell will start 1999 in Double-A, but the Reds' temptation to rush him due to his polish may be offset by the big league club's deep rotation.