2011 Indians Top 50 Prospects: #35 Kyle Bellows

Kyle Bellows – Third Baseman
Born: 08/19/1988 – Height: 6’3” – Weight: 210 – Bats: Right – Throws: Right

(Photo: Tony Lastoria)

History: Bellows was selected by the Indians in the 4th round of the 2009 Draft out of San Jose State. The summer after his freshman season at San Jose he played in the New England Collegiate League and was rated as the second best prospect in the whole league (Steven Strasburg was first). His professional debut at short-season Single-A Mahoning Valley in 2009 ended prematurely in the middle of August when he broke a bone in his hand and dislocated a finger sliding back into a base. Last year he led all Carolina League third basemen in fielding percentage.

Strengths: Bellows has a developing bat with very good power potential. He is not expected to be someone who hits for a high average as he moves up the professional ranks, but he has shown a developing approach at the plate where he may be able to better limit his strikeouts and draw a few more walks. The Indians like the athleticism to his swing and shortness to it, and feel his commitment to his new approach has been solid. His best tool at the plate is no doubt his nice raw power and ability to be a run producer. While he only has average speed, he shows some very good athleticism running the bases. He is a very strong and athletic physical specimen with a frame that still has room for growth as he matures. He also has a high aptitude with a drive to improve, and is an extremely confident player.

Bellows played shortstop, first base, and third base in college, though was primarily a shortstop. Upon drafting and signing him, the Indians immediately moved him from shortstop to third base with the assistance of Mahoning Valley manager Travis Fryman. The move has fit him like a glove as there has been little if any transitional period to get adjusted to the new position and he has shown that he has the athleticism and bat to be an everyday player there. He shows an ease to his game with an exceptional ability to field and control just about any ball he is able to get to.  He moves well and has great range where he makes all the routine plays and shows an ability to make the exceptional ones too. He shows excellent instincts and agility, and comes in on balls well. He has great arm strength with outstanding accuracy, even on balls hit deep down the line. His throwing accuracy is just remarkable as no matter where he picks up the ball and stands up he is always able to hit the first baseman in the chest. Due to his athleticism and strong arm, if the need ever arises he could be moved to right field one day.

Opportunities: Bellows lost 20 pounds last year over the grind of his first full season, so he needs to learn how to maintain his strength throughout the season as it definitely impacted his offense. At the plate he his swing gets long and he works under the ball a little bit and sometimes starts a little late which makes him longer and even more underneath. Indians personnel have worked with him on getting him ready and getting him started sooner and leveling out his swing a little bit to make sure he is a little shorter to the ball because when he is short to the ball they have seen some balls really jump off his bat. He had a long swing coming out of college, so shortening up his swing while not taking away from his power is a challenge for him and the organization. His strike zone discipline also needs improvement.

Outlook: Last year Bellows was a rock at third base all season for High-A Kinston, and has really established himself as one of the best defensive third basemen in the minors. He may not be in the same class as fellow farmhand Lonnie Chisenhall when it comes to his prospect standing and offensive abilities, but he is every bit the defensive player and then some. The key for him is developing his plate discipline, approach, and unveiling that hidden raw power. He has a great chance to be a solid everyday third baseman at the big league level, but even if he struggles to become an everyday player he has the athleticism and versatility to move around the diamond like Casey Blake did when he was first entering the big leagues. He should open the 2011 season at Double-A Akron.

Year	Age	Team	Lvl	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2009	21	Mahoning Valley	A-	54	200	29	48	4	4	7	32	20	30	8	.240	.311	.405	.716
2010	22	Kinston	A+	124	462	48	117	21	5	10	66	39	91	4	.253	.318	.385	.703
		MiLB Totals		178	662	77	165	25	9	17	98	59	121	12	.249	.316	.391	.707

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