Cubs linked to local Illinois product and elite Kentucky shortstop in latest mock

He was born in Bloomington, Illinois, playing his high school baseball for Lincoln-Way East in Frankfort. And Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter believes he could be a great fit with the Cubs.

"Bell spurned the Tampa Bay Rays as a second-round pick in the 2024 draft out of high school, and that looks like the right decision two years later as he's expected to be a first-round selection as a draft-eligible sophomore. Slowed by a shoulder injury early this spring, he is hitting .354/.567/.569 in 97 plate appearances since returning to action."

Bell's professional career could have already started years ago with the Rays, but he turned them down and bet on himself. That is seemingly paying off as he has jumped many spots on the draft board.

Despite a shoulder injury that slowed him down when the season began, he is back right where he left off. As a switch-hitter, he is proficient from both sides of the plate, and he has all the ingredients to play shortstop at the MLB level.

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