Bell's private ring could be UT hang-up : govolsxtra.com

There’s a number in Chad Bell’s head.

It’s preceded by a dollar sign.

“I’m going to keep it private,” Bell said.

The Texas Rangers, who selected Bell with the 424th overall pick in the 14th round of Wednesday’s Major League Baseball draft, are privy to that number.

“They know it,” the Tennessee signee said. “I know it.”

If the Rangers pay what the former South-Doyle High School standout and Walters State pitching ace is asking, then Bell will turn pro. If not, Bell will start at UT for the 2010 season with two years of eligibility remaining.

“So I’ve got the best of both worlds,” Bell said.

While Bell must decide on starting his career at UT, three current Vols must decide whether to continue.

Center fielder Kentrail Davis (39th overall pick) and pitchers Bryan Morgado (102nd) and Nick Hernandez (377th) must now decide to go pro or stay put.

Ty’Relle Harris (586th), the fourth UT player from this season to be drafted, has no collegiate eligibility left.

“Ty’Relle obviously is a senior so he doesn’t matter (for next season),” Tennessee coach Todd Raleigh said. “But the other three guys have some options. I think it’s a win-win. I think Nick is the one guy in particular who could improve his draft status.

“We certainly welcome them all back, but at the same time we planned for this. We didn’t just find out today and say ‘oh my goodness what are we going to do next year?’”

Since the free-agent draft began in 1965, UT has had a total of 108 players drafted a total of 119 times. That total does not include signees such as Bell.

Whether Bell comes to UT or turns pro could depend on his performance this summer in the prestigious Cap Cod League. Bell is playing for the Cotuit (Mass.) Kettleers. The season opener is today.

“I’m excited to see what’s going to end up happening,” Bell said. “A lot of the talk is that they’re going to come up here and watch me throw off and on over the summer, kind of see what they think and see how I do. We’ll see where it goes after that.”

Bell was 8-1 for Walters State as a sophomore with a 2.08 ERA. He started 12 games with five complete games and pitched 65 innings. He allowed 48 hits, walked 17 and struck out 78.

Bell, who was named Tennessee Junior Community College Athletic Association Pitcher of the Year for the second straight season, held opposing batters to a .198 batting average.

It’s the third time Bell has been drafted. He was drafted out of high school in the 25th round by the Milwaukee Brewers. Forgoing pro baseball, Bell had his choice of attending UT and Auburn, before finally landing at Memphis. Before the season started, Bell made the switch to Walters State to keep his pro prospects open. Bell was drafted again last year, this time in the 37th round by the Cleveland Indians.

“It’s good to know that you’re wanted,” Bell said.

Davis, a rising junior and center fielder, was chosen Tuesday by the Milwaukee Brewers in the supplemental first round. Raleigh said it would “be tough for us to keep him” another season.

Davis told the Mobile Press-Register that playing two years in college was beneficial.

“I got my stock up a little bit more and matured as a player,” Davis told the newspaper. “I would encourage every high school player to get in a couple years of college. I’m really happy with my decision.”

Morgado, a rising junior, was picked by the Chicago White Sox in the third round.

“He didn’t have the best year ever,” Raleigh said of the lefthander, “but the pros don’t really look at that. They look more at what your ability is.”

Morgado redshirted in 2007 but returned in 2008 to rank third in the SEC in strikeouts with 104. He had 11.66 strikeouts per nine innings to rank high among national leaders.

Last season Morgado started five games and made 15 appearances out of the bullpen to finish with a 4-2 record and two saves with a 6.36 ERA. He struck out a team-high 75 batters in 52.1 innings of work.

“I am excited just about being taken,” Morgado said. “I was not expecting the White Sox at all but it is an awesome feeling. I am excited to get to work but right now I am just celebrating with my family.”

Hernandez, a rising senior and the pitching ace the last two seasons, was selected Wednesday by Philadelphia in the 12th round.

“I know he didn’t have the best year ever,” Raleigh said, “but I still felt like he would go higher — not to diminish where he went, because it’s a great honor to go.”

Hernandez was 4-5 with a 5.23 ERA with 70 strikeouts and 21 walks in a team-high 84.1 innings.

“I was hoping to go a little higher but I am excited and now I am just celebrating with my family,” Hernandez said. “I am excited about the Phillies. “I can say that I was drafted by the defending world champions and hopefully one day I will get to play for them. It was unexpected but the Phillies gave me a chance so we will see what happens.”

Harris, a right-hander, was chosen by Atlanta in the 19th round. In two seasons at UT, Harris was 6-6 with a 5.34 ERA, including 16 starts and two saves.

Former UT catcher Yan Gomes, who transferred to Barry University in Miami after the 2008 season, was selected in the 10th round by Toronto with the 310th pick.

Along with Bell, two other UT signees were drafted Wednesday.

Right-handed pitcher Jon Reed, from Tulsa, Okla., went in the 21st round as the 629th pick to Cincinnati. First baseman Cody Stubbs, from Waynesville, N.C., was selected by Boston in the 29th round as the 888th pick.

“Those we worry about, too,” Raleigh said. “There’s a little bit of anxiety going on. You just have to filter your way through it.”

Bell's private ring could be UT hang-up

Signee to Texas in 14th round of draft