Prospect of the Day: Brandon Belt

by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2011 10:00 AM EDT

Prospect of the Day: Brandon Belt, 1B, San Francisco Giants
A year ago, Brandon Belt was a relative unknown, a fifth round pick in 2009 from the University of Texas, who had yet to make his pro debut. Now, he's on the Opening Day roster. Scouts always knew he was a solid athlete, but his college performance was never spectacular. The Giants retooled his swing in pro ball, and the results last year were stunning: a .352/.455/.620 mark with 43 doubles, 23 homers, 93 walks, and 22 steals accumulated between High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A. He hit .282/.338/.479 this spring for the Giants, and scouts believe the progress he made last year is for real. He always had good plate discipline and is more athletic than most first basemen, but the shorter swing he adopted last year enabled him to close up his past weakness against inside pitches. Given his rapid rise, there could be some bumps and bruises and a slow start is always quite possible, but Belt has everything needed to be a long-term lineup mainstay.

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Belt speed potential?

Jason Grey said the following about Belts SB’s not translating to the major league level. U agree?
“Although Belt stole 22 bases last year, it won’t be a part of his game at the big league level, as he doesn’t have above-average speed”.

by Markus Potter on Apr 1, 2011 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

A player can steal bases with average speed at the MLB level if he is a smart base runner

"He who gets the best players usually wins" - Bobby Bowden

by Russ on Apr 1, 2011 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions

+1

I would comfortably say Belt has a tick more speed than Pujols… who seems to steal 10-15 bases a year based purely on baserunning intelligence.

by guru4u on Apr 1, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Pujols is also a GD baseball savant

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Apr 2, 2011 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup. Check out Jaso.

by mr. maniac on Apr 1, 2011 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

belt

I’ve seen enough of belt to think that his speed is actually pretty real. He’s a good runner for a first baseman, he gets great jumps, and is intelligently aggressive. I think he can pick up 10 swipes a year.

by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2011 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Yep, if David Wright is the pinnacle of an average runner who steals bases and Pujols is somewhere on the spectrum, then Belt is probably around Pujols or right behind.

by limozeen on Apr 1, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Pujols is definitely a below average runner speed wise

Not afraid to nitpick

by joker24 on Apr 2, 2011 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions

My understanding is that many of Belt’s steals were opportunistic, basically preying on minor league pitchers who aren’t checking the runner. He might rack up a few every season under similar circumstances, busted hit and runs, or the element of surprise, but I wouldn’t expect him to be a 20/20 guy.

Et tu, Ribe?

by Solidarity on Apr 1, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm so pissed that I dropped him last offseason...

Had him in an extremely deep keeper league, but was an end of the offseason cut to make my roster limit. Then again, who would’ve thought last offseason that his 2010 would’ve been THAT impressive? Amazing what a few tweaks in mechanics and hitting philosophy can do.

by dbreer23 on Apr 1, 2011 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

Had a good game yesterday.

Got a single and a walk, but most impressively out of 133 pitches the dodger pitchers threw, about a 1/3 36 pitches were seen by Belt.

BTW it was an infield single, where he basically outran the pitcher to 1st base.

by parlover on Apr 1, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions

Just saw him hit his first homerun, to dead centerfield at night at Chavez Ravine. Pretty impressive. Giants fans will be reminded of Will Clark’s first homer, also to dead center, off of some guy named Nolan Ryan.

"People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring."
—Rogers Hornsby

by Lyle on Apr 1, 2011 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

+1

He has a lovely, fluid swing. His last two at bats of the evening could have gone as hits as well. He nearly took Loney’s glove off in the 6th, and lined to Kemp in the 8th.

by 07_08_World Champs on Apr 2, 2011 1:29 AM EDT reply actions

I'm already regretting dealing him...

I traded him just before he blew up this spring….Belt, Lamb and Fowler for Weaver and Abreu.

I hope it’s not one of those deals I end up regretting for years…

by okteds on Apr 2, 2011 2:30 AM EDT reply actions

I saw him a tonn last year here in Richmond and with the

way he was crushing AA pitching, immediately told my friends he’d make the Giants by the end of 2011, didn’t expect it to be opening day but couldn’t be more stoked for the guy!
6 3B, 9 HR, 40 RBI in only 46 games with them in 2010.

Dropped somone off my fantasy team to snag him. Thanks to the move not going into place until the next day missed out on his 3 run bomb though…

by MichaelGGBGrabow on Apr 5, 2011 12:35 PM EDT reply actions