Prep Baseball Report

To-10 Stories of 2024: No. 7 Tyler Bell Honors Commitment to Kentucky


By: Peter Hamot
Assistant Scouting Director, Illinois & Wisconsin

Tyler Bell (Lincoln-Way East, 2024) has been one of the top players in the state since we first laid eyes on him at the Chicagoland Open in August of 2021, and he did nothing but elevate himself throughout the high school ranks in the following years, finishing his career as the No. 2 player in Illinois and No. 12 in the country.

Being the status of prospect that he was, he naturally earned invites to national events that helped raise his stock after strong showings, specifically our inaugural All-American Game in Milwaukee and the Super 60 a couple of months later where he led the entire event in bat-speed from both sides of the plate. Bell has one, if not the most sought-after profiles in all of baseball being a switch-hitting shortstop, and his growth throughout his prep career was extremely fun to follow. He’s a true shortstop long-term with fluid and natural actions, playing with all sorts of confidence and IQ in each look. He has an extremely intriguing hit–tool with his aforementioned bat-speed, allowing him to carry a strong hit/power combination going forward with equally present bat-to-ball skills. 

It was no secret that Bell was one of the top draft prospects in a loaded Illinois class, and he played the part with a .400 average in the spring to go along with eight doubles, four home runs, 25 RBIs and 45 runs scored - earning him Prep Baseball Illinois Second-Team All-State honors. 

Bell would go on to be the second Illinois name off the board in a class that saw 10 players drafted from within the state, with the Rays taking him as the 66th overall pick. However Bell would go on to honor his commitment to Kentucky, a surprise to likely many, making him one of the top prep players in the entire country heading to campus the following fall (No. 2 per our Top-100 On Campus Rankings). 

This was no small decision for the talented shortstop, turning down likely well over seven figures to make his way to Lexington, and he will surely look to make the most of his time with the Wildcats and help lead them back to the College World Series. 

Scouting Report

9/23/23

Prep Baseball All-American Game: Starting in a slightly wide, open base, the natural switch-hitter utilizes a quiet, shoulder height pre-pitch load with a quick leg trigger. Short to the ball with a loose finish from both sides while creating loft with ease. Equally present bat-to-ball skills but boasts massive power potential from the left side. Plus bat speed with lean strength in the frame that continues to grow can allow Bell to carry a strong hit/power combo going forward. A true shortstop long-term with fluid actions in all directions and easy transfers. Plays confident and shows high, situational baseball IQ. Arm strength to make every play needed and can be accurate from multiple arm angles. 6.68 runner with a great first step and straight line speed. Showing the potential of a day one middle-infielder.

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