Rockies 2011 draft mistake now a no. 2 prospect

Rockies passed on Pirates' elite prospect Josh Bell

When the Rockies selected Greg Reynolds number 2 overall, it was a bad pick the moment it was decided and announced. It just had not yet been proven.

In 2011, suffering through a season of injury and ineffectiveness of most of it's starting pitching, the Rockies decided to use it's number one pick in the June amateur draft for Tyler Anderson, a left-hander from the University of Oregon in the first round. That too was a very poor choice, just not likely as disastrous a selection as Reynolds at no. 2 in his draft when Tim Lincecum (two Cy Young Awards), Clayton Kershaw (the 2011 Cy Young Award winner) and Evan Longoria were all available.

The Rockies and other analysts believe Anderson can be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter. Maybe he will develop into exactly that, although I have my doubts when the club itself compared him to former Rockie Jeff Francis, who outside of one 17-win season, was much more a back-end starter, even before injury.

Texas prep outfielder and outstanding bat prospect Josh Bell was the pick the Rockies should have budgeted for and signed, just as lowly Pittsburgh did, even though Bell was thought to be unsignable.

And now Fangraphs has listed Bell as the Pirates no. 2 prospect, only behind no. 1 overall pick (2011 draft) Gerrit Cole, a power pitcher, and ahead of highly-drafted pitcher Jameson Taillon.

2. Josh Bell, OF
BORN: Aug. 14, 1992
EXPERIENCE: None
ACQUIRED: 2011 2nd round, Texas HS
2010-11 TOP 10 RANKING: NA

Bell’s ceiling matches Cole’s but, unlike the star pitching prospect, he won’t be playing in Pittsburgh any time soon. The outfielder was a first-round talent (possibly Top 5) based solely on his skill set but he was considered the toughest of tough signs away from his commitment to the University of Texas. A switch-hitter, he isn’t afraid to use the whole field and has raw power to all fields, as well. Bell could hit 25-30 home runs in his prime. Defensively he should be at least average in right field but could develop into a plus fielder. He’ll likely head to low-A ball to begin 2012 unless the organization decides he needs a little extra seasoning in extended spring training. He should move one level at a time and could surface at the big league level in 2015 – about the time this organization should be ready to field a playoff-worthy club.

The Yankees didn't sign Bell, the Red Sox, Dodgers or Angels didn't either. The Pirates did.

Time, I say, will prove the Rockies erred again. Anderson could eventually help, maybe even long term. He might become a trade chip too that brings back greater value but Bell is the superior prospect and the Rockies allowed him to get away. They will almost assuredly regret it, if not already, then down the road.


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