Bell, Vazquez to represent Bucs at Classic

MILWAUKEE -- The news may not have been a surprise, but that didn’t take away from the moment it was delivered. With the visitors' clubhouse at Miller Park packed full of his teammates and coaches Sunday morning, Josh Bell found out that he was officially going to be a first-time All-Star.

• 2019 All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX

Bell was the only Pittsburgh player named to the National League All-Star team when the full rosters were revealed last week, but he won't be the only player representing the Bucs. Closer Felipe Vázquez was added as a reserve on Saturday as a fill-in for the D-backs' Zack Greinke (personal matter). Bell, a switch-hitting first baseman, fell just short of winning the starting job, but he made the roster as a result of player balloting. In fact, Bell’s peers gave him more votes (346) than Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (272), who will start at first for the NL.

“It was awesome just to be able to celebrate with teammates and be congratulated by everybody,” Bell said. “That’s something I won’t forget.”

Even though he didn’t win the Starters Election at first base, Bell might find himself in NL manager Dave Roberts’ starting lineup on July 9 at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Fans did not get to elect a starting designated hitter for the NL, and it seems like the nod might go to Bell.

Bell would be the Pirates’ first starting DH in the Midsummer Classic, if that is indeed the case. He would be their first All-Star position player in the starting lineup since Andrew McCutchen in 2015. He’s already become the first Pittsburgh first baseman named to the All-Star team since Jason Thompson in 1982.

Halfway through a breakout season at the plate, Bell is slashing .301/.376/.625 with 22 home runs, a Major League-leading 54 extra-base hits and an MLB-best 70 RBIs. After a historic stretch at the plate, he was named the NL Player of the Month for May.

“Fantastic news. Very proud of him,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He earned it. Well-deserved. Obviously, the team celebrated him big time.”

In keeping with his typically team-first attitude, Bell said after the Pirates’ 2-1 loss to the Brewers that he wished the announcement had come on a day Pittsburgh won. He mentioned that he was excited to experience the All-Star Game festivities, only to remind reporters that Monday’s series opener against the Cubs comes first.

He’ll have a busy schedule when he arrives in Cleveland, as his All-Star experience will begin with the Home Run Derby on Monday. Bell said he was looking forward to chatting with some of his fellow All-Stars. He already received a congratulatory call from former teammate Austin Meadows, who was named to the American League All-Star team Sunday as a member of the Rays.