Kentucky SS Tyler Bell is a Top 5 MLB Prospect in College Baseball

Tyler-Bell-having-historic-freshman-season-Kentucky — Kentucky's Tyler Bell (Photo via UK Athletics)

The Kentucky baseball program has momentum and star power. Following the program’s first College World Series appearance in 2024, the Bat Cats advanced to their third-straight regional for the first time in program history.

Nick Mingione retooled the roster over the summer. Kentucky signed the No. 8 transfer portal class in the country, according to 64Analytics. They also procured the No. 21 high school recruiting class in the country.

In modern college athletics, retention is just as important as acquisitions. That especially applies in baseball, where the MLB Draft can be alluring. Kentucky kept its core nucleus intact, led by shortstop Tyler Bell.

The shortstop from Illinois started in every game but one for the Bat Cats as a true freshman. He led the team in RBI and extra-base hits with 29. His 10 home runs tied the Kentucky freshman record set by Chris Gonzalez in 1993. Bell was a Freshman All-American after batting .318 in SEC play. This offseason, Bell was selected to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team.

Before fall ball gets into full swing across the country, Just Baseball ranked the Top MLB Draft prospects in college baseball, where Bell comes in at No. 4 overall. The outlet projects he’ll make a big jump from year one to year two.

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“A true switch-hitter, Bell is more power-over-hit presently, though there’s enough to project more polish coming for the hit tool. Bell seldom whiffs against heaters (14% swing-and-miss, 8% in-zone), flashes solid bat paths from both sides, and has shown a tendency to pummel the baseball to his pull-side. He can find himself swinging too uphill, likely as a result of his back shoulder collapsing, which has led to more grounders than you’d like and some whiffs against off-speed offerings,” writes Just Baseball’s Tyler Jennings.

“With that said, Bell generates really good bat speed and leverage for his size and has the makings of an extra-base machine at the next level. It’s robust power with exit velocities clearing 110 MPH at times. He displayed solid bat-to-ball skills for his first taste of college baseball and possesses good swing decisions.”

Bell will be suiting up with the Kentucky baseball team when fall ball gets underway next month at Kentucky Proud Park. The Bat Cats will travel to Mason, OH to take on West Virginia on Oct. 5. They’ll host an intra-squad scrimmage on Friday, Oct. 17, then face off against Morehead State on Oct. 26 at KPP.