Kentucky's Tyler Bell earns USA baseball Collegiate National Team Camp invite
After a freshman year filled with accolades, highlights, and big-league potential, Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell is now adding red, white, and blue to his résumé.
Bell has been officially invited to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp, joining the nation’s elite talent from June 29 through July 3. The prestigious opportunity further cements the freshman phenom as one of college baseball’s rising stars—and adds another milestone in what’s been a remarkable year in Lexington.
Bell’s breakout season in Blue and White
The numbers speak for themselves. Bell started all 53 games for Kentucky this season, slashing .306/.384/.542 with 66 hits, 17 doubles, 10 home runs, and 46 RBIs. He also stole 11 bases and posted a strong .980 fielding percentage, making him one of the most complete freshmen in the SEC.
He didn’t just rack up stats—he earned respect across the country:
- SEC All-Freshman Team
- SEC Freshman of the Week (Week 7 - March 31, 2025)
- Midseason Freshman All-American (Perfect Game, First Team)
- Brooks Wallace Award Watch List (Top Shortstop in NCAA)
- No. 13 Overall Freshman (Baseball America & Perfect Game, 2025)
And perhaps most impressively, he was a second-round MLB Draft pick (No. 66 overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2024—but turned down pro ball to enroll at Kentucky.
That decision has already paid off in both exposure and development. Now, his invitation to the national training camp only elevates his standing even further.
Eyes on the USA camp—and the transfer portal?
Bell’s invitation to the USA Baseball Training Camp puts him among the elite, with the event set to be held at various sites from June 29 to July 3. The Collegiate National Team roster will be formed from that pool, giving Bell a chance to represent his country on the diamond.
More information about the schedule is available on the official site: USA Baseball Collegiate site
As for Kentucky, keeping Bell in Lexington could become a high-stakes battle in the coming weeks. With the transfer portal looming large across college baseball—and Kentucky finishing its regular season on a four-game losing streak to fall to 29-24—the Wildcats face a pivotal moment.
Selection Monday will determine whether Kentucky earns an NCAA Tournament bid. For a team once brimming with promise, it’s now a waiting game. And Bell’s future could be part of that uncertainty.
A star on the rise
Regardless of what happens next, Tyler Bell has already made his mark. From declining a multi-million dollar MLB contract to starring in the SEC and now receiving a national team invitation, his freshman year has been one to remember.
One thing’s for certain: whether in Lexington, in red, white, and blue, or in the MLB, Tyler Bell looks destined for stardom.