Bell, Prince to Represent Curve at All-Star Futures Game
June 25, 2015 - Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release
CURVE, Pa. - Altoona Curve first baseman Josh Bell has been selected to participate in the 2015 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati as part of the MLB All-Star festivities on July 12. Curve manager Tom Prince has been named as a member of the coaching staff for the U.S. team.
Bell, the Pirates' third-ranked prospect according to MLB.com, is making his second straight appearance in the Futures Game after playing for the U.S. team last year in Minneapolis. The 22-year-old Texas native is ranked near the top of the Eastern League in several offensive categories, including batting average (.316, 2nd), hits (82, 2nd), on-base percentage (.390, 3rd), and RBI (44, 4th), and he is tied for the league lead with six triples.
In his first year managing the Curve, Prince has led the team to the best record in the 12-team Eastern League at 42-29 approaching the midway point. The Kankakee, Ill. native played 17 seasons in the Majors, including seven years for the Pirates. His Minor League managerial career began in 2004 with the Lynchburg Hillcats, and he has since amassed more than 400 career victories.
The 17th annual SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game will take place on July 12 at 3 p.m. at Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds, and will be televised live on MLB Network and streamed on MLB.com. The game features the top Minor League prospects competing in a nine-inning game the Sunday preceding the MLB All-Star Game.
Former Curve catcher Elias Diaz, currently with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, has been named to the game's World roster.
Bell follows Gregory Polanco (2013), Gerrit Cole (2012) and Starling Marte (2011) as the most recent players to receive a Futures Game selection while a member of the Curve, and the 17th overall since the club began play in 1999. Other notable Curve to participate in the Futures Game include Pedro Alvarez (2009) and Jose Bautista (2005).
Bell is the first player in the Pirates organization to earn back-to-back appearances in the Futures Game.
• Discuss this story on the Eastern League message board...
Eastern League Stories from June 25, 2015
- Erie Rallies past Altoona 2-1 - Erie SeaWolves
- Curve Surrender Lead Late, Fall to SeaWolves - Altoona Curve
- Thunder and Lightning Drown Squirrels, 4-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- 'Dogs Lose the Fight Late with the 'Cats, 6-4 - Portland Sea Dogs
- Baysox Shock Rock Cats in Extra-Innings Win - Bowie Baysox
- Late Rally Lifts Fisher Cats to Win - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Senators Stave off B-Mets, 2-1 - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Senators Make Two Early Runs Stand up in Win - Harrisburg Senators
- Fightins-RubberDucks Game Rained Out - Reading Fightin Phils
- RubberDucks & Fightin Phils Rained out Thursday - Akron RubberDucks
- Sam Travis Promoted to Sea Dogs - Portland Sea Dogs
- Harrisburg Senators Homestand Preview - June 27 to July 3 - Harrisburg Senators
- Crawford, Wathan Heading to 2015 All-Star Futures Game - Reading Fightin Phils
- Sea Dogs Game Notes June 25 at New Hampshire (Game 73) - Portland Sea Dogs
- Rock Cats INF Trevor Story Named to Futures Game by MLB - New Britain Rock Cats
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes: vs. Trenton - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Sea Dogs' Outfielder Manuel Margot Selected to Futures Game - Portland Sea Dogs
- Squirrels Beede Heading to Futures Game - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Bell, Prince to Represent Curve at All-Star Futures Game - Altoona Curve
- Sanchez, Judge Selected to 2015 Futures Game - Trenton Thunder
- RubberDucks Homestand Highlights, June 27-July 3 - Akron RubberDucks
- Turner Selected to Futures Game - Harrisburg Senators
- Conforto & Nimmo Named to Futures Game - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- B-Mets Game Notes: Game #71- B-Mets (37-33) vs. Harrisburg Senators (31-41) - 6:35 pm - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Erie SeaWolves at Altoona Curve - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Erie SeaWolves at Altoona Curve - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- SeaWolves Drop Series Finale to Ducks - Erie SeaWolves
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
