TCU infielder Jack Bell made an immediate impact for the Frogs last year, hitting a grand slam in his first at-bat in purple. The Corpus Christi, Texas, native was particularly good in the 2025 Big 12 Tournament, earning All-Tournament Team honors.

Bell is a third baseman who has the versatility to play all of the infield positions. He appeared in 55 games in his first season with the Frogs, hitting .259 with a .376 on-base percentage and slugging .453. Bell swatted five home runs as part of his 14 total extra-base hits last season. 

TCU Magazine sat down with Bell to talk about his move from College Station to Cowtown, his unforgettable first at bat and why he wants to be a baseball agent. 

Infielder Jack Bell earned All-Big 12 Tournament honors in his first season as a Horned Frog in 2025. Courtesy of TCU Athletics

How did you get into baseball? 

I don’t really come from a baseball family. I began playing at the age of 3. I had a great support system growing up. When I was 5, I started playing travel ball. I took it seriously enough that I played all the way through high school, played my freshman year of college at Texas A&M and then transferred over here last season. It was the best decision of my life coming to TCU.

You appeared in 19 games in your freshman season at Texas A&M, hitting .250 while drawing eight walks to just five strikeouts. How was the transition of playing under Jim Schlossnagle — who previously coached at TCU — to eventually coming to Fort Worth yourself?

After we lost the national championship game, our coach left to go to Texas. As soon as that happened, I entered the portal, and TCU was one of my first calls. I stepped on campus here, and I knew it was home.

Last season, you recorded six hits and five RBIs in the Big 12 Tournament. How do you take that experience in a playoff environment and carry it into this season?

It’s all about confidence. The coaches have confidence in me, and I have confidence in them. That allows me to go out there and play freely. So, rolling into my junior year, I’m a veteran now. I’m confident in myself; I’m relaxed. I know what’s going on. I don’t feel like the game is sped up anymore, and so I’m just having fun. 

In the opening series last year against San Diego, you came to the plate with the bases loaded. What was it like having your first-ever at-bat for the Frogs to be a pinch-hit grand slam?

It was surreal. I saw the fastball low and away and knew I was going to be able to put a good swing on it, and watched it fly over the left-centerfield wall.

Bell, a communication studies major, hopes to parlay his TCU education into a career as a sports agent after his playing days are done. Courtesy of TCU Athletics

What are your plans for the future after baseball at TCU?

I hope to get my name called in the MLB Draft, but you never know. So, outside of that, I’d want to be an agent. I love baseball and would love to help players get better and reach their full potential.  

What will this year’s TCU team emphasize to reach its goals?

A lot of things, but I think it comes down to simply playing winning baseball. It’s as simple as our pitchers throwing strikes, our hitters hitting the strikes, and taking the balls. Going out there trying to play winning baseball is the most important thing we can do.  

Editor’s Note: The questions and answers have been edited for length and clarity. 

— Grant Harris