Twins Secure Signing of Josh Bell

The Minnesota Twins have finalized a one-year contract with first baseman Josh Bell for the 2026 MLB season, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The agreement includes a mutual option for the 2027 season. Bell is represented by the Boras Corporation.

Overview of Josh Bell’s Career

At 33 years old, Josh Bell has had a decade-long career in Major League Baseball. Except for the abbreviated 2020 season, he has consistently maintained at least an average batting performance. Historically, Bell has been seen as a potential star, particularly in standout years like 2019 and 2021. However, he has not consistently delivered the power expected from his substantial build of 6’3″ and 260 pounds.

Batting Performance and Statistics

One of the challenges for Bell has been his tendency to hit ground balls. Although he has made improvements, his ground ball rate last season was 45.7%, which exceeds the league average of 41.8%. His previous season’s performance showed a slight decrease in ground ball contact, with a rate of 44% during his impressive 37-home run campaign in 2019.

• Average Exit Velocity: Bell achieved an average exit velocity of 96.4 mph, ranking 25th out of 251 qualified hitters for liners and fly balls.
• Isolated Power: His isolated power on fly balls was .507, above the league average of .436.
• Home Runs: Bell hit 22 home runs in the last season, averaging 26 homers per 162 games over the past seven seasons.
• 2023 Season Performance: He ended the season with a batting line of .237/.325/.417, showcasing a 10.7% walk rate and a 16.5% strikeout rate.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite his physical attributes and potential, Bell has struggled to elevate the ball consistently. His average sprint speed ranks in the seventh percentile among MLB position players, making ground ball contact particularly detrimental to his offensive output. Bell continues to work on his swing to unlock his full power potential, a challenge that six previous teams have attempted but not successfully resolved.

Overall, the Twins are betting on Bell’s ability to outperform his typical, above-average performance by improving his contact strategies. With renewed focus, he may become the steady power hitter the team needs in the coming seasons.