MLB Rookie Profile: Chad Bell, LHP, Detroit Tigers

Yesterday the Detroit Tigers promoted left-handed pitcher Chad Bell to the major league roster. Here’s a quick take on what to expect.

Bell was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers, a 14th round pick in 2009 from Walters State Community College in Tennessee. The Knoxville native advanced steadily through the system, reaching Double-A and Triple-A in 2012 but subsequently hurting his elbow and missing all of 2013 with Tommy John surgery. In May 2016 he was traded to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Bobby Wilson, then had a decent year with Triple-A Toledo. He was pitching very well again for Toledo this season before his promotion, posting a 1.25 ERA in four starts with a 25/7 K/BB in 22 innings.

Bell is a 6-3, 200 pound southpaw born February 28, 1989. He has a standard left-handed arsenal, with four and two-seam fastballs topping out around 92 MPH mixed with a slider and a change-up. He can start or relieve and has normal platoon splits. There’s nothing spectacular about him and at age 28 he isn’t likely to suddenly improve, but he has enough versatility, stuff, and command to contribute as an 11th or 12th man on an MLB staff.

A spring training bullpen session recorded by MLive

Action from when he was in the Rangers system