The Colorado Rockies selected Kentucky shortstop Tyler Bell with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft on July 11, making him the highest-drafted player in coach Nick Mingione's tenure at the university, according to UK Athletics. Bell becomes only the second Kentucky player selected in the top 10 of the MLB Draft, joining outfielder Chad Green, who was taken eighth overall by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1996.

The switch-hitting shortstop from Frankfort, Illinois, finished his two-year college career with a .314 batting average, 19 home runs and a .993 on-base-plus-slugging percentage across 97 games. During his sophomore season, despite missing 14 games with a shoulder injury sustained on opening day, Bell batted .343 with a .510 on-base percentage and became the first Kentucky player since 2008 to reach base in more than half of his plate appearances.

Bell's draft selection marks his second encounter with professional baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the second round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Lincoln-Way East High School, but he declined to sign and chose to attend Kentucky instead. That decision made him the highest-drafted player that year not to accept a professional offer.

With Bell's selection, Mingione has now produced four first-round picks during his nine seasons leading the Wildcats program. The group includes shortstop Evan White (No. 17, 2017) and left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson (No. 19, 2019). Mingione's program has made its first-ever College World Series appearance and reached three Super Regionals under his leadership.

Bell will need to undergo surgery to repair the shoulder labrum he tore early in the 2026 season. The Colorado Rockies also selected Kentucky shortstop Ryan Ritter in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft, continuing the team's interest in prospects from the Kentucky program.