CINCINNATI — The Pirates plan to promote first-base prospect Josh Bell to Class AAA Indianapolis early Saturday.
Bell, a 22-year-old switch-hitter, hit .310 with a .379 on-base percentage, five home runs and 17 doubles for Class AA Altoona this year in his first season playing first base. The Pirates drafted him in the second round in 2011 as an outfielder, but moved him to the infield late last year.
The Pirates will also promote left-hander Jeremy Bleich to Indianapolis.
The Pirates have no high-end first-base prospects at Indianapolis, and Bell is the best in the system, though his defense is still a work in progress.