Josh

Bell

The 19-year-old Bell might have been ready for full-season ball this year after being drafted in the fourth round in 2005. He is currently batting .284/.348/.537 with 10 homers in 50 games in the Pioneer League. The Dodgers aren’t exactly lacking in quality young third basemen, but it looks like they might have another one here.

Bell was designated for assignment earlier this week by the Orioles. He was once considered a top prospect but has now been given up on by the Dodgers and O’s.

Bell, 25, struggled mightily during two brief stints in the majors and is threatening to fall completely out of Baltimore’s plans. He’ll continue to serve as depth at corner infield.

He was cleared to make room for the newly-claimed Luis Exposito on the Orioles’ 40-man roster. Bell was considered the third baseman of the future after coming over from the Dodgers in the George Sherrill deal at the deadline in 2009, but he has a lousy .200/.221/.264 batting line and a stunningly awful 78/6 K/BB over 226 plate appearances in the majors. There isn’t much hope left, but it will be interesting to see if someone takes a chance on the 25-year-old.

Bell, who was acquired from the Orioles in late April, was hitting .381/.429/.619 with four homers, 30 RBI and a 1.047 OPS in 112 plate appearances with the Aces. We aren’t ready to give up on the 25-year-old completely, but he has a woeful 78/6 K/BB ratio over 226 plate appearances in the big leagues. Ryan Roberts has turned things around a bit this month, so we wouldn’t bank on a ton of playing time.

In turn, Ryan Roberts will be shifted into a utility infield role. Bell was hitting .381/.429/.619 with four homers, 30 RBI and a 1.047 OPS in 112 plate appearances with Triple-A Reno, but he has an awful .200/.221/.264 batting line and a 78/6 K/BB over 226 plate appearances in the majors. He’s worth a flier in NL-only leagues, but we don’t think this arrangement will last very long.

Color us surprised. Roberts got off to a very slow start, but he’s hitting .321 (17-for-53) with a home run and eight RBI this month. He’ll serve as a backup at third base for now and will also split time with Aaron Hill at second base. Bell hasn’t proven that he can hit major league pitching, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the Diamondbacks change course pretty quickly.

Bell batted .173/.232/.269 with one homer and four RBI in 21 games this season for Arizona. The 25-year-old was given the boot to clear roster space for Trevor Bauer.

Bell hit only .173/.232/.269 with one homer over 21 contests in his time with the D’Backs this season. He’ll likely begin 2013 back at Triple-A.

Bell managed a lowly .173/.232/.269 batting line with one homer over 21 contests in his time with the D’Backs this season. The 26-year-old former top prospect will now look to catch on in another organization.