Pirates’ Josh Bell advances in voting to be All-Star starter

Chris Adamski
Friday, June 21, 2019 7:46 p.m. | Friday, June 21, 2019 7:46 p.m.

Christopher Horner | Tribune-Review

Pirates first baseman Josh Bell bats during the first inning against the Padres Friday, June 21, 2019, at PNC Park.

He leads the majors in extra-base hits, ranks fourth in the National League in slugging percentage and set a Pittsburgh Pirates record for most home runs before the All-star break by a switch hitter.

It’s only natural, then, Josh Bell would be a prime candidate to take part in MLB’s annual All-Star game.

The second-leading vote-getter among National League first basemen,, Bell on Friday was named one of the three NL finalists to start at first base in the July 9 game in Cleveland.

Bell’s participation in the festivities at Progressive Field might not be limited to the game, either. According to the Twitter account of Pirates assistant hitting coach Jacob Cruz, Bell was invited to take part in the home run derby.

Someone I know (wink) has been invited to Home Run Derby? Can you guess who? Ha

— Jacob Cruz (@JacobCruz09) June 21, 2019

A message posted at @JacobCruz99 read: “Someone I know (wink) has been invited to Home Run Derby? Can you guess who? Ha.”

Bell has 20 home runs this season in addition to a .315 batting average and .649 slugging percentage with 50 extra-base hits in 72 games.

The annual home run derby takes place the day before the game.

The most recent Pirates player to participate in the home run derby was Pedro Alvarez at Citi Field in New York six years ago. The Pirates are one of 11 teams to have never had a winner in the competition, which first was staged in 1985.

Closer Felipe Vazquez represented the Pirates in last year’s All-star game.

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Chris Adamski is a TribLive reporter who has covered primarily the Pittsburgh Steelers since 2014 following two seasons on the Penn State football beat. A Western Pennsylvania native, he joined the Trib in 2012 after spending a decade covering Pittsburgh sports for other outlets. He can be reached at cadamski@triblive.com.