Pirates All-Star Josh Bell Crushes 3 Home Runs in Win, Continues Breakout Season

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell (55). Photo by Peter Joneleit/CSM/Shutterstock (10219892u)

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Josh Bell had never hit more than 26 home runs in his first three big league seasons before 2018.

After launching three home runs on Monday night in his team’s 18-5 rout of the Chicago Cubs, he’s only one long ball away from tying his career high only 81 games into the season.

Bell, who is scheduled to participate in next week’s Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities, proved that he is one of the top power threats in baseball with his display on Monday.

He collected 7 RBI to go with his 3 home runs, easily one of the best individual offensive performances of this year’s MLB season.

Bell’s first homer of the night came in the first inning when he took Cubs starter Adbert Alzolay deep to center field to give his team a 3-0 lead.

The 26-year-old first baseman wasn’t done victimizing Alzolay, however. The next inning, he stepped up to the plate with a man on base and added a two-run homer to his tally.

His last home run of the night came in the eighth inning with the game firmly in hand, when he brought PNC Park to its feet with another two-run bomb off of star closer Craig Kimbrel.

Bell is now hitting .308 with 25 home runs and 77 RBI, a line that easily explains his All-Star selection. He could become a favorite for this year’s NL MVP Award if he keeps up this torrid pace at the plate.