Josh Bell has busted out of early season slump and appears to be what the Guardians signed up for

When the season began things were not going well for Josh Bell. The first 10 games were a massive struggle as he looked lost as ever while carrying over his production issues from last season. The trade from Washington to San Diego was not a positive one for Bell as he was more often than not a non-factor. The lack of impact appeared to be following Bell to Cleveland as the Guardians big free agent signing was not the force at the plate that Cleveland thought they were getting.

Bell struck out 13 times in his first 38 at-bats and only managed three hits, all of which were singles. The 30-year old was able to drive in three runs while walking nine times, the only real positive takeaways from his lackluster start. This poor stretch landed Bell on a list of three Guardians players who needed to get things together at the plate and rightfully so. Bell needed to turn around his performance in the batter's box and return to form as soon as possible, luckily for Cleveland that is just what happened.

Since the slow start Bell has put together an impressive five-game stretch, Bell has eight hits in 20 at-bats, this includes five doubles and his first home run of the season. Bell has cut down on strikeouts with just two while slashing .400/.429/.800 and a ridiculous 1.220 OPS. Having a player not named Jose Ramirez capable of being a force at the plate is a huge boost for the Guardians and continuing to be productive at the plate is good for everyone else in the lineup as well.

Josh Bell is looking like the guy the Guardians signed up for

At some point there is going to be a correction for Bell as this recent stretch is the definition of unsustainable. The real version of Bell is somewhere between his dreadful start to the year and the red hot version that is currently in Cleveland's lineup. Settling somehwere around his career average slash line (.261/.350/.457) and wRC+ (115) is exactly what the Guardians need as they look to repeat as American League Central champions and make a deep playoff run.