Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Draft Blog | Bell Tells MLSB He Doesn’t Want To Sign

Dallas Jesuit High outfielder Josh Bell wrote a letter to the Major League Scouting Bureau indicating that he does not want to sign with a professional team out of high school, Baseball America has learned.

Bell, who was originally verbally committed to Louisiana State, signed a letter of intent with Texas and would be a boon for the Longhorns.

He is being advised by the Boras Corp. and the letter may just be posturing for future contract negotiation purposes. But, sources indicate that Bell's family has been straightforward with scouts all spring and education is important to the family. Bell's mother, Myrtle, is a professor at Texas-Arlington.

He has a big league body already at 6-foot-3 and 206 pounds. A switch-hitter with the most usable power among high school players in the 2011 draft, he is a surefire first-rounder on talent, but this throws a wrench into that status.

Bell, seen here at the World Wood Bat event in Jupiter, Fla. in October, put together a very good season and was recently scouted by Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein.

He does not want to sign? S why does he have an adviser then, specifically Boras? He has most likely already agreed to a few million dollar signing bonus with a large market team, and is trying to steer other teams away from picking him.

Posted by Nick | May 28, 2011 at 6:37 pm | Shortcut

That doesn't really make sense, Nick, since the range where Bell would be expected to go has a lot of large market teams in it anyway. Plus, players advised by Boras aren't averse to going to college as his business model doesn't rely on money from signing bonuses.

Posted by Conor Glassey | May 28, 2011 at 9:10 pm | Shortcut

Connor, Get back to me August 15th when he signs with either the Red Sox, Yankees or Tigers for 3mill +!

Posted by Nick | May 29, 2011 at 2:50 pm | Shortcut

[...] Bell…. Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Draft Blog | Bell Tells MLSB He Doesn’t Want To Sig… He says he is going to attend Texas and does not want to be drafted. I think this could cause him [...]

Posted by Josh Bell…. – Blowout Cards Forums | May 29, 2011 at 4:40 pm | Shortcut

Also why would Boras push his client into a hard slot draft? I think the kid just wants to go to Texas. Nothing wrong with that.

Posted by ttnorm | May 29, 2011 at 9:11 pm | Shortcut

I am not typically a conspiracy theorist but you dont have Boras as an advisor with some pre-draft antics.

I dont buy it. Dont get an advisor and write that letter and then you have some credibility. Boras taints everything.

Posted by cbbfan | May 29, 2011 at 10:56 pm | Shortcut

[...] stating that he intends to enroll at the University of Texas and play college baseball. …Bell Tells MLSB He Doesn't Want To SignBaseball America [...]

Posted by Projected first-round MLB pick Josh Bell (Dallas Jesuit) will play for Texas … – Dallas Morning News – Read latest baseball news, shop for tickets and souvenirs – Baseball Sports Page | May 30, 2011 at 12:52 am | Shortcut

Apparently his mother is a teacher at one of the colleges. The correct way to have done this would have been for her to send a letter to MLB. Eg.
'Thank you for the interest in my son. I wanted to advise you all that i would like my son to attend College this fall etc….'
Something like this would have been powerful and sincere. But having Josh write them with Boras in the background borders on the ridiculous! I'm not buying it.

Posted by colin | May 30, 2011 at 11:16 am | Shortcut

I don't think that Boras taints everything. It is possible that the Bell family was on the fence, hired Boras, and Boras pointed out that he could get a few million this year, or in three years, be the best college hitter available, possibly go 1-1, and get twice that, or more. Hard-slotting may mess that up, but then again, it may not.

Posted by Richard | May 30, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Shortcut

No, too much swirling right now. Boras has Bundy telling teams "dont pick me because you will mess with my long toss program".. (Bundy and Bauer)..
This is THE case for hard slotting. What a bunch of Boras BS.

Posted by cbbfan | May 30, 2011 at 9:49 pm | Shortcut

[...] round, I would continue down the same path, but also try to pick up a tough sign or two like a Josh Bell. I’d also aim for John Stilson. Stilson might come cheap because of his injury, but was [...]

Posted by Tampa Bay Draft Bonanza « ghostsofprospectspast | May 31, 2011 at 9:22 pm | Shortcut