Lincoln-Way East’s Tyler Bell selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2nd round of the MLB Draft

It’s been known for months that Lincoln-Way East’s Tyler Bell almost certainly would be a high selection in the 2024 MLB Draft. Still, most projections had him going in the third or fourth round. The thought was that he wouldn’t get the phone call of his selection until sometime Monday.

Sunday night, Bell and the rest of the Frankfort community got a more than pleasant surprise.

Bell was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays with the 66th overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft. He was the first selection of the Competitive Balance Round B.

Although he was picked sooner than some projected to see him go, Bell’s resume more than measures up to his selection. A 6-foot-1, 180-pound shortstop, Bell shook off a slow start to the 2024 season to finish with a slash line of .391/.591/.621 with 34 hits in 87 at bats. He drove in 25 runs, was walked 33 times and stole 30 bases. He also scored 46 runs in 34 games.

“I’m not shocked to see it happen,” Griffins coach John McCarthy said. “This is a young man who literally doesn’t miss workouts or weightlifting, shows up on time, just does it the right way all around. He has an incredible work ethic, which I think separates him from everybody. Obviously, he’s got the talent, but his willingness to work hard off the field has led to a lot of the on-field success.”

Although he is committed to Kentucky, the high selection all but ensures Bell will be heading to one of Tampa Bay’s minor league affiliates.

“He deserves all of the credit,” McCarthy said. “He really is a guy that works hard, has the talent and doesn’t take it for granted. I’m so happy for him and his family. He’s just an incredible worker and they don’t draft guys at that round if you don’t have the talent as well. He can defend, base run, hit for power, he’s really talented and the Tampa Bay Rays are going to be really happy to have him in their organization.”

It’s the second time in five years Lincoln-Way East has had a shortstop drafted. Ryan Ritter initially was selected by the Cubs in the 33rd round in 2019, although he opted instead to enroll in community college for a year before heading to Kentucky himself. He was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round in 2022 and is in their farm system.

Tampa Bay is 48-48 at the All-Star break, made the playoffs in 2023 and won the AL pennant in 2020 before losing in the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers.