The Rangers have signed 14th-rounder Chad Bell, one of the Cape Cod League’s top lefthanders this summer, for $450,000. He’s the third late-rounder Texas has signed recently for more than MLB’s recommended $150,000 maximum after the fifth round, joining Shawn Blackwell ($300,000, 24th round) and Riley Cooper ($250,000, 25th round).

Bell pitched at Walters State (Tenn.) CC in the spring and planned on transferring to Tennessee for 2010 before boosting his stock on the Cape with the Cotuit Kettleers. Bell pitched Cotuit to the Cape finals, going 3-1, 1.77 with 46 strikeouts in as many innings. His fastball sat at 89-91 mph, and his changeup is his best pitch.