Major League Baseball announced today that Josh Bell will represent the Pirates and the National League at the All-Star Game in Cleveland on July 9.

The 26-year-old Bell finished first in player balloting among first basemen according to Major League Baseball. He is the first Pirates first baseman to be named to the All-Star team since Jason Thompson in 1982.

Bell entered today leading all of Major League Baseball in both RBI (70) and extra base hits (54). His 54 extra base hits through the team's first 81 games this season are tied for the most by a National League player since Colorado's Todd Helton had 54 in 2001. It's also the most-ever extra base hits by a Pirate through the team's first 81 games (prior to Bell, the most was 52 by Kiki Cuyler in 1925). Bell's 54 extra base hits coming into today are also just one shy of tying Nate McLouth in 2008 for the club record of 55 prior to the All-Star break.

Bell also entered play today with 70 RBI, which are the fourth-most in club history prior to the All-Star break behind Willie Stargell (87 in 1971 and 75 in 1973) and Brian Giles (72 in 2000).

Bell's 22 home runs prior to the All-Star break are the most-ever by a Pirates switch hitter and the most by any National League switch hitter since St. Louis' Lance Berkman hit 24 in 2011.

Bell entered today ranked first among all MLB first basemen in RBI (65) and doubles (28), second in average (.306), slugging (.626) and OPS (1.002) and third in home runs (20) and total bases (184).