 Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 3rd round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft, Bell was considered a Braves top prospect and pitched in their minor league system until November 10, , when he was traded with Denny Neagle and Michael Tucker to the Cincinnati Reds for Bret Boone and Mike Remlinger.Bell made his major league debut with the Reds on April 8, 2000 against the Chicago Cubs.In Bell's first season in the Majors, he finished with an ERA of 5.00 in 26 starts.