As we close in on the 2026 MLB Draft, the focus on who the Atlanta Braves are looking at for the ninth overall pick has come into focus a bit. Names like Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress, Arkansas catcher Ryder Helfrick, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell, and Florida prep lefty Gio Rojas seem to be the names most prominently linked to the club. Massachusetts prep lefty Brody Bumila is also a name that has received some buzz. My goal is to start to break down who these players are and their strengths
and weaknesses to prepare you for the newest Braves prospect.
Today we start with Tyler Bell – the highest drafted player in 2024 to make it to college. Bell is among the newest names to become prominently linked to the Braves, and that makes him worth diving into his profile.
Bio
Name: Tyler Bell
Position: Shortstop
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 190
College: Kentucky
High School: Lincoln-Way East HS (Frankfort, IL)
Previously Drafted: 2nd round 2024, Rays. #66 overall
Bats/Throws: S/R
Stats
2025: .296/.385/.522, 17 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 46 RBI, 11-16 SB, 24 BB, 59 K in 265 PA over 56 games
2025: .316/.409/.474, 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2-2 SB, 2 BB, 6 K in 22 PA over 5 games in Cape Cod League
2026: .343/.510/.608, 9 2B, 1 3B, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 10-13 SB, 30 BB, 36 K in 194 PA over 41 games
Hit 50/55
A switch-hitter, Bell came into Kentucky and had a very strong true freshman season, though he did hit slightly below .300 with a 22.3% strikeout rate. Although he missed time this year following an injury on the opening weekend, he did show real growth there. Bell raised his average by nearly 50 points, walked six more times over 71 less plate appearances, and cut his strikeout rate to 18.6%. It is worth noting that he was solid against right-handers, but he was elite against lefties
His data suggests that he makes his best and most frequent contact in the middle of the plate and having that stretch out to cover both sides of the plate. He can be beaten low, especially around the two sides of the plate. on the positive side he also seems to be able to hit almost any kind of pitch, with changeups being the pitch he struggles the most against – he also had some lower numbers against cutters, but we have a very tiny sample size – but he was still productive against changeups. Velocity isn’t much of an issue for him either, as he had his lowest exit velocities against 94-97 MPH pitches, but did slash .316/.409/.474 and he did record high exit velocities in the tiny sampling against 97+ MPH pitches.
Power 50
Bell has solid power production for a middle infielder. After hitting 10 homers as a freshman, he was just one short in 15 fewer games than last year. Still his power projects more average than plus, and he is the kind of hitter who will put the ball into the gaps for doubles and even triples power often.
Bell’s exit velocity data suggests that he actually outperformed his expected power numbers this season. It is worth noting that all nine of his homers came against pitches than were under 91 MPH, though five of his nine doubles came against pitches 91 MPH or above.
Speed 50
Bell is only an average speed guy, though does make up for that in other ways like a quick first step and good instincts. He should have the speed to be able to handle shortstop defensively, and while he isn’t a guy who will lead the league in stolen bases, he is a guy who will be a threat on the bases when he gets on.
Glove 50/55
Bell is a guy who should be able to stick at shortstop longterm with an average to slightly above glove thanks to his quickness, instincts, and arm. He does also bring some experience at both second and third base, so the fallback option of being a versatile utility guy is on the table for him if he can’t reach his ceiling.
Arm 55
Bell has a strong arm, which will grade out around above average.
Overall
Bell is a productive player who plays hard. He gutted through this season with his injured shoulder that he knew would require surgery after his season, so it does seem likely that he won’t make his pro debut until the 2027 season.
It’s important to note that there isn’t anything plus about Bell’s tools, but he is average or slightly better across the board. He reminds me a little of Tate Southisene from last year, with a little more power and a little less speed. The comparison is that these are two hard working kids who know how to hit and run, and while they do have power it isn’t the standout tool. Both players are grinders who will do whatever it takes to win and succeed.
Bell’s realistic ceiling probably gets him to borderline All Star, as he is a guy who could hit .270-280 with 20 homers and good on base ability as a shortstop. If he doesn’t reach his ceiling his floor could be a quality super utility guy that plays everywhere and contributes with the bat.
If the Braves were to draft Bell, I would count on not seeing him in a game until 2027, and potentially in Rome to open the season. I would believe he’d have a chance to reach Atlanta by some point in the 2028 season. He would rank behind prospects like Cam Caminiti, Eric Hartman, and probably Tate Southisene in the Braves system, but could rank as high as #4 upon being drafted.
In my personal opinion I wouldn’t say Bell would be my favorite option at #9, but I also wouldn’t say I dislike him as the potential pick. I would definitely be hoping to see the pick come in a little underslot, with the more under he is, the more I like the pick – though he isn’t likely to be significantly underslot either. He could be the Braves longterm answer at short, and is a player who could move quickly.
