- Full name Tyler Bell
- Born 06/30/2005 in
- Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: B / Throws: R
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Drafted in the CB-B round (66th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024.
View Draft Report
School: Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill.
Commit/Drafted: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 19.1
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 50. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
A lean and athletic shortstop with a projectable 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Bell established himself as a well-rounded player and solid performer as an underclassman. He’s a patient hitter with a solid eye at the plate from both sides, though there is a bit of length to his swing and it can get steep, which leads to some questions about how he might handle elevated velocity at the next level. Still, he can drive the ball hard and makes a lot of contact in general. Bell should provide average and on-base value as a hitter. He’s a solid defender at shortstop with fluid actions and above-average body control, with above-average arm strength and the ability to throw from multiple angles. While Bell went just 2-for-14 (.143) at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter in 2023, he hit a number of balls hard that just didn’t find a gap in the field. He was a standout at the 2024 MLB Draft combine, showing impressive actions at shortstop and solid raw power from both sides in batting practice. Bell is committed to Kentucky and will be 19 on draft day, making him a draft-eligible sophomore in the 2026 class if he makes it to campus.
Top Rankings
Draft Prospects
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School: Kentucky. Committed/Drafted: Rays ’24 (2). Age At Draft: 21.0.
The Rays drafted Bell in the second round in 2024, but he spurned pro ball and honored his commitment to Kentucky. He had a strong freshman season as Kentucky’s starting shortstop and hit .296/.385/.522 with 10 home runs, 17 doubles and 11 stolen bases. He has a lean frame at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds and a well-rounded game with no clear weakness—but perhaps no obvious plus tools, either. He’s a switch hitter with occasional pullside power from both sides of the plate, solid swing decisions and decent bat-to-ball skills. He’s a sound shortstop defender with good body control and a strong arm. After the 2025 season, Bell played a few games in the Cape Cod League before manning second base, shortstop and third base with Team USA. -
School: Kentucky. Committed/Drafted: Rays ’24 (2). Age At Draft: 21.0.
The Rays drafted Bell in the second round in 2024, but he spurned pro ball and honored his commitment to Kentucky. He had a strong freshman season as Kentucky’s starting shortstop and hit .296/.385/.522 with 10 home runs, 17 doubles and 11 stolen bases. He has a lean frame at 6-foot-1, 190 pounds and a well-rounded game with no clear weakness—but perhaps no obvious plus tools, either. He’s a switch hitter with occasional pullside power from both sides of the plate, solid swing decisions and decent bat-to-ball skills. He’s a sound shortstop defender with good body control and a strong arm. After the 2025 season, Bell played a few games in the Cape Cod League before manning second base, shortstop and third base with Team USA. -
School: Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill. Commit/Drafted: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 19.1
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Tools: Hit: 45. Power: 50. Run: 50. Field: 55. Arm: 55.
A lean and athletic shortstop with a projectable 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Bell established himself as a well-rounded player and solid performer as an underclassman. He’s a patient hitter with a solid eye at the plate from both sides, though there is a bit of length to his swing and it can get steep, which leads to some questions about how he might handle elevated velocity at the next level. Still, he can drive the ball hard and makes a lot of contact in general. Bell should provide average and on-base value as a hitter. He’s a solid defender at shortstop with fluid actions and above-average body control, with above-average arm strength and the ability to throw from multiple angles. While Bell went just 2-for-14 (.143) at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter in 2023, he hit a number of balls hard that just didn’t find a gap in the field. He was a standout at the 2024 MLB Draft combine, showing impressive actions at shortstop and solid raw power from both sides in batting practice. Bell is committed to Kentucky and will be 19 on draft day, making him a draft-eligible sophomore in the 2026 class if he makes it to campus.
Top 100 Rankings
Scouting Reports
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School: Lincoln-Way East HS, Frankfort, Ill. Committed: Kentucky
Age At Draft: 19.1
A lean and athletic shortstop with a projectable, 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame, Bell established himself as a well-rounded player and solid performer as an underclassman. He’s a patient hitter with a solid eye at the plate from both sides, though there is a bit of length to his swing and it can get steep, which leads to some questions about how he might handle elevated velocity at the next level. Still, he can drive the ball hard and he makes a lot of contact in general and should provide average and on-base value as a hitter. He’s a solid defender at shortstop with fluid actions and above-average body control, with above-average arm strength and the ability to throw from multiple angles. While Bell went just 2-for-14 (.143) at Perfect Game’s WWBA World Championship in Jupiter in 2023, he hit a number of balls hard that just didn’t find a gap in the field. He is committed to Kentucky.
