2024 draftee Tyler Bell declines to sign with the Rays
He was the No. 66 overall selection in the 2024 draft
Tampa Bay Rays draftee SS Tyler Bell, the No. 66 overall pick leading the Competitive Round B between the second and third round of the 2024 MLB Draft, has announced he will not sign a professional contract.
All in! #Bigbluenation pic.twitter.com/N00g3IEvep
— Tyler Bell (@BellTyler28) July 31, 2024
A switch hitter out of Lincoln-Way East HS (Frankfort, IL), Bell was widely considered a higher rated prospect than now-fellow alumni of Kentucky SS/2B Emilien Pitre, who the Rays drafted at No. 58.
By reaching for Pitre in the second round and taking relatively unexpected picks in rounds 4-10, there was some thought that the Rays may find cost savings to put together the right asking price to land Bell. This clearly did not materialize, particularly after Pitre signed at slot value.
MLB rules will compensate the Rays with a similar pick in the 2025 draft to make up for Bell not signing with the team.