The richest second-round draft pick in Major League Baseball Draft history is joining the State College Spikes.
Outfielder Josh Bell arrived in State College on Tuesday and will begin working out with the Spikes before tonight’s game against Batavia.
Pittsburgh Pirates director of player development Kyle Stark said Bell’s role will be similar to 2010 first-and second-rounders Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie. The duo joined the Spikes shortly before the 2010 New York-Penn League season and used their time in State College to acclimate themselves to professional baseball.
Stark said the Pirates haven’t determined if Bell will be added to active roster before Sunday’s season finale. The Pirates signed Bell for a second-round record $5 million earlier this month.
Bell hit .548 with 54 RBIs and 54 runs scored as a senior at Dallas Jesuit High School. The Pirates lured the Gatorade/ESPN Rise Texas Player of the Year away from the University of Texas with the massive signing bonus.
Bell is one of eight players joining the Spikes today.
Pitchers Cesar Lopez, Diomedes Mateo and Logan Pevny, outfielders Willy Garcia, Jose Osuna and Gregory Polanco, and infielder Alen Hanson join the team after playing in the rookie Gulf Coast League. Osuna, 18, finished tied for third in the GCL with a .331 batting average.
The Spikes also anounced plans to honor the Keystone Little League team tonight. The team will participate in a ceremonial first pitch, player introductions and in-game promotions. Keystone represented the Mid-Atlantic in the Little League World Series. The Clinton County-based team went 3-2 and played before 167,430 fans in South Williamsport.
The Spikes have five games remaining. They play Batavia twice at home before ending the season with three games at Williamsport.
