University of Tennessee Athletics
2005 Tennessee Baseball Roster | College World Series
Roster
Mike Bell
- Weight:
- null
- Class:
- Redshirt
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Tennessee pitching coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Bell arrived on Rocky Top in August 2004 boasting an impressive resume`. And during his three seasons in Knoxville, he has further strengthened his reputation as one of the game[apos]s most promising up-and-coming young coaches. All he did in his first year with the Vols in 2005 was oversee a staff that set a new school record for strikeouts in a season (568, which shattered the old mark by more than 20 Ks) and helped guide Tennessee to the NCAA College World Series. Bell[apos]s pitching know-how particularly paid off for hurlers Luke Hochevar and James Adkins that year. Hochevar tied for the NCAA lead with 15 wins (which also tied him atop Tennessee[apos]s single-season list for victories), broke the school record for strikeouts in a season with 154, was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year and won the prestigious Roger Clemens National Pitcher of the Year Award. He was then selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 40th overall pick in the 2005 MLB Draft. Adkins[apos] pitching prowess progressed as his rookie season wore on, and by the time the postseason arrived, his name was known around the country and he was appearing on the cover of major national sports publications. In his four postseason appearances, Adkins went 3-1 with an amazing 46 strikeouts. He was named to the NCAA Knoxville Regional All-Tournament Team and tabbed as the Knoxville Regional[apos]s Most Outstanding Player. Baseball America and Louisville Slugger both selected Adkins as a Freshman All-America honoree after he became the first freshman in UT history to log more than 100 strikeouts, finishing with 135 to rank second in the SEC. In 2007, Adkins set a new school record for strikeouts, as his 133 Ks on the year boosted his final career total to 380 -- good for ninth place on the SEC[apos]s all-time list. The Chattanooga Times-Free Press recognized Bell[apos]s impact on the initially unpolished Adkins, touting the rookie[apos]s transformation 'from thrower to pitcher.' In 2006, Bell once again saw a handful of his pupils taken in the MLB draft, including second-round pick Sean Watson (Cincinnati). Hochevar, who did not sign with the Dodgers following the 2005 draft, spent much time training in Knoxville before rising to become the No. 1 overall pick by Kansas City in June 2006. Immediately prior to joining the Big Orange, Bell -- a 1996 Florida State graduate -- spent two seasons as recruiting coordinator and pitching coach at Division II Florida Southern College, where his 2003 and 2004 pitching staffs each ranked in the national top 20 in ERA. The Mocs compiled a 79-35 overall record during Bell[apos]s two seasons with the program, and two of his hurlers, Gabe Rio (Arizona) and Ryan Thompson (Houston) signed professional contracts during his tenure. 'Mike did a great job at Florida Southern, and he[apos]s had a smooth transition into the Southeastern Conference,' Tennessee head coach Rod Delmonico said. 'He was a solid collegian and professional player who knows how to teach and guide a pitching staff. He is a good fit into our program.' Bell[apos]s aspirations of engineering a pitching staff that can guide Tennessee back to the College World Series were molded during his back-to-back CWS appearances as a pitcher/first baseman at Florida State from 1994-95. He fashioned a solid 14-4 career record with the Seminoles and posted a 3.00 ERA, striking out 120 in 137.2 innings. Also a standout in the classroom, Bell twice earned ACC Academic Honor Roll acclaim and was a GTE Academic All-District honoree in 1995. Bell transferred to FSU from Pasco-Hernando Community College in New Port Richey, Fla., where he was a two-time All-Suncoast Conference selection. With his diamond prowess not limited solely to the mound, Bell set a school record by batting .372 in 1993. Also during his days as a collegian, Bell played in the prestigious Cape Cod League with the Bourne Braves (1993) and in the Alaskan Summer League with the Kenai Oilers (1994). While with Kenai, he earned first-team All-Alaskan recognition and was rated as the No. 5 prospect in the Alaskan League in 1994. The Braves claimed the NBC World Series title that same season. Following his collegiate playing days, Bell was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 20th round in 1995. He spent three years in the Expos organization (1995-97) and three years with the Baltimore Orioles organization (1998-2000), advancing to play two seasons with the Orioles[apos] AA team, the Bowie Baysox, in 1999 and 2000. In his six-year minor-league career, Bell won 28 games and recorded 18 saves to go along with a 2.99 ERA. After the conclusion of the 2000 season, Bell took over as head baseball coach at Brandon High School in Brandon, Fla. Under his two-year tutelage, the Eagles won the 2002 Class 4A-District 9 Championship and were regional semifinalists. Bell[apos]s coaching effectiveness was recognized by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association (FACA), which named him Class 4A Coach of the Year, and by the Tampa Tribune, which tabbed him as the Hillsborough County Coach of the Year. Bell attended Riverview High School in his hometown of Sarasota, Fla., and was a two-time All-Area selection by the Sarasota Herald Tribune. He is married to the former Alicia Favarato, and the couple has a baby daughter, Alexis Leann. They are expecting the birth of a son in 2008.
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