Bryce Harper and Brandon Belt

by John Sickels on Nov 6, 2025 5:45 PM EDT

I got to see Bryce Harper play last night for the first time. It is hard to believe he just turned 18. I would rate his raw power at an 80 on the traditional scale. He's got outstanding bat speed, and while he can be fooled at this point, he did make an effort to work the count and showed the ability to make adjustments in the same at-bat. It was just one game but I saw enough to completely buy into the hype.

Brandon Belt is outstanding too. His swing is completely different than what I saw at the University of Texas a couple of years ago. It is shorter now and he no longer gets tied up inside. He's also fast for a big guy, has a long stride, and he plays hard. I'm very impressed.

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Read More: Brandon Belt (1B - SFG), Bryce Harper (CF - WAS)

Comments

see any more of Ackley?

by tarheels1 on Nov 6, 2025 6:09 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

Yeah he looked good yesterday. Not sure about the glove but the bat looks potent.

by John Sickels on Nov 6, 2025 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Did you get to see any Michael Taylor.

I really wanna know why that guy went into the tank this year.

"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein

by Syphon on Nov 6, 2025 6:17 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

Yeah, his swing is messed up and he doesn’t look too confident.

by John Sickels on Nov 6, 2025 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Did maybe Oak try to mess with his swong this year?

Im not sure if Philly ever did? Its either injury or a mechanical thing with him this year.

by Syphon on Nov 6, 2025 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn't the Phillies change him from the "Stanford swing"?

I thought they did and that was one reason for his success. Curious if you saw him before to know if Oakland has tinkered with his swing or if he’s reverted to his Stanford days.

http://bullpenbanter.com

by gatling on Nov 6, 2025 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions

he looked pretty awful when I saw him this year, too

No force behind his swing, you can see he’s just outmatched mentally at the moment. Haven’t looked at video from his Phillies days to see a comparison, but he’s not going to be able to do much of anything with the way he looks right now.

by mrkupe on Nov 6, 2025 9:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Have you seen any of the Rays combo of Anderson, Ruiz, and Wrigley.

Anderson and Ruiz were both Cuban signings who should compete fro a job next year. Wrigley kinda had an older breakout season.

Also, I am curious about Alex Cobb. Have you seen his stuff?

by mr. maniac on Nov 6, 2025 7:02 PM EDT reply actions

Jerry Sands

Bryan Smith from Fangraphs says Sands has been focusing on hitting the ball the other way in the AFL. Did you get a chance to see him? I am curious if he will hit foir power in the big leagues, or be more of a high BA guy. Also, can he play LF, or will he be relegated to play 1B?

raygu
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by Ray Guilfoyle on Nov 6, 2025 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

3b?

thought I read somewhere that he was going to be tried at 3b?

by ScottAZ on Nov 9, 2025 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

yea

originally they were going to do it at the AFL, but they decided to just let him hit in the AFL and play 1B, and then in instructionals, he will be tried at 3B

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 9, 2025 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Belt

Here’s a good, clear vid clip of him hitting a triple against Anthony Carter last Saturday (Oct. 30th). You can see his new swing - he really rotates and clears his hips to free up his hands, unlike what he was doing at Texas. You can also see the speed that John refers to - pretty nice for a tall 1B.

Belt triples against Anthony Carter

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Nov 6, 2025 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

I think I'm finally getting on board

There are just too many positive reports coming out at this point. Still not on the Jerry Sands train.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Nov 6, 2025 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

+1

I’m starting to get excited about Belt, there’s too much to like about him at this point not to. As for Sands, let’s say I’m cautiously excited at this point- he’s obviously a quality prospect but I have some reservations at this point.

Baseball is my preferred sport. It should be yours, too.
I'm an editor for Beyond the Box Score, an SB Nation blog.

by Satchel Price on Nov 6, 2025 10:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Sands

Here’s some video:

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=7782951

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1na3kYa_N_4

He swings hard (which causes the strikeouts) and with a lot of loft. The power is legitimate. Just not sure how well he’ll hit for average in the majors.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Nov 6, 2025 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions

@AdamWFoster on twitter:
Jerry Sands doesn’t provide passable D anywhere but 1B & his swing isn’t conducive to hitting hitting off-speed. Won’t be a MLB regular.

by matthewmafa on Nov 7, 2025 3:52 AM EDT up reply actions

The walk rate

Is what makes me think he should turn out to be a solid regular. His walk rate was up above 12% both this year, and for his career. So, even if he hits for a low average, he could still post a pretty good OBP. If you can’t hit a breaking pitch, at least being able to recognize and lay off goes a long way.

As I mentioned, I do buy into his power. He goes up there with bad intentions. I could see 30+ HR in the majors.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Nov 8, 2025 9:10 AM EST up reply actions

Some notes about Sands

that I found out from TBLA. They interviewed Watson, and he said they were going to work on defense in the instructional league and let him hit in the AFL. He’s hit 309/418/400. A 418 OPB from a slugger…

Also, he played RF, CF, LF and 1B in the minors.

What do you not like?

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 7, 2025 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

smh

R.I.P. cwhitman412, Frederick0220, & Mets2k9
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by doublestix on Nov 7, 2025 7:56 PM EST up reply actions

thanks for the feedback

very nice

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 7, 2025 9:36 PM EST up reply actions

I couldn't care less where he played in the minors

He’s a LF/1B and I would bet that 1B is his eventual home. He had a phenomenal year, but I don’t have a ton of confidence that the bat is an impact one.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Nov 7, 2025 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

wait

why dont you care where he played in the minors when he is still in the minors? I understand we are thinking about the future, but the fact he played RF until they had him play 1B in AA because of need, IMO, should mean something.

Kinda interesting you dont like the bat thought because he has done well every place he has gone this season and has improved the K rate and the BB rate has stayed at 11% or higher.

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 7, 2025 9:35 PM EST up reply actions

good prospects dont get moved from RF to 1b b/c of the needs of a AA team

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 7, 2025 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

it was more

because he could play 1B and Russell hadnt played there

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 8, 2025 12:11 AM EST up reply actions

Why should he be given credit for playing CF?

He’s not a CFer. It has no bearing on my evaluation of him. Playing RF (which I suppose is plausible, I mean, Jason Kubel plays RF) doesn’t increase his value. It’s the same as playing LF, except it requires more arm strength, whereas LF is starting to turn into more of a position for the plus range, minus arm OFers.

http://bullpenbanter.com/

by jar75 on Nov 8, 2025 10:24 AM EST up reply actions

He shouldn't

He’s played 1 game in CF. Is Roy Oswalt considered a LF?

If everybody likes you, then either no one knows anything about you, or you're dead.

by Archie A on Nov 8, 2025 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

he played 2 games in CF this year

and 23 last year… doesnt say how many of the 44 games he played was in CF in 2008 tho

by matthewmafa on Nov 8, 2025 12:45 PM EST up reply actions

my bad

the 1 game was at 3B.

He’s still not a CF by any means

If everybody likes you, then either no one knows anything about you, or you're dead.

by Archie A on Nov 8, 2025 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

i understand

but i dont know who is saying he is… nobody is saying hes a CF

by matthewmafa on Nov 8, 2025 7:35 PM EST up reply actions

lakerdodgeryanks4life

was using that as one of his points

If everybody likes you, then either no one knows anything about you, or you're dead.

by Archie A on Nov 8, 2025 8:08 PM EST up reply actions

i just said he had played there

not that he will play there in the future.

I was talking more of the RF, LF, 1B

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 8, 2025 9:52 PM EST up reply actions

I feel the last part has become true

because there arent many good RFs.

And while there are guys like Crawford in LF, there are many more Mannys and Brauns

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 8, 2025 9:53 PM EST up reply actions

well...

the 400 slugging in a great hitting environment for a ‘slugger’ definitely isnt something to like

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 7, 2025 11:14 PM EST up reply actions

sss

by matthewmafa on Nov 7, 2025 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

the 400 slugging in 55 ABs

will replace the 529 slugging in AA and 572 career slugging in your eyes?

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 8, 2025 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

you posted the SSS stats like they meant something.....

even though they didnt help your argument at all…why does a 400 OBP in 55 abs matter but the shit slugging not matter?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 8, 2025 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

oops 418 OBP

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Nov 8, 2025 1:51 AM EST up reply actions

yeah

can’t cherrypick one when the other doesn’t help the argument

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Nov 9, 2025 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

I have been saying this for a while

Belt is a beast and his changed swing has made him a dominating hitting prospect.

by King Billy Royal on Nov 7, 2025 12:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Collmenter

Did you get to see any Josh Collmenter?

by Taipeiwalker on Nov 6, 2025 10:42 PM EDT reply actions

belt

is a good comp for him aubrey huff… tall lanky LHB first basemen… strikeouts to walks will be nearly 1 to 1.. good power

by matthewmafa on Nov 7, 2025 3:48 AM EDT reply actions

Except Belt is much more of an athlete than Huff. He runs better than Huff, he plays D much better than Huff, and he has a plus arm that would play in RF (he threw mid-90s off the mound). Also, Belt projects to hit for a better average than Huff and have a much better OBP.

"There ain’t much to being a ballplayer, if you’re a ballplayer." - Honus Wagner

by Fla-Giant on Nov 7, 2025 8:19 AM EST up reply actions

Didn't Huff play 3B and RF?

Maybe he meant YOUNG Huff.

by siddfynch on Nov 7, 2025 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

yeah man

i thought it would be pretty obvious…. young huff was not an unathletic guy like he is right now in his mid 30s

by matthewmafa on Nov 7, 2025 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Just looked it up

Huff in the minors played 313 games at 3B and 26 at 1B.

He began to get nudged towards 1Bas early as his age-24 season (2nd full in majors), but still played the majority of his games at 3B as late as his age-29 season.

Based on that alone, I’d say Belt and Huff might not be real good comps…and it doesn’t sound like it’s because Huff is outclassed defensively or athletically.

by siddfynch on Nov 8, 2025 1:07 AM EST up reply actions

offensivly

by matthewmafa on Nov 8, 2025 5:46 AM EST up reply actions

My comment

was more to the other guy’s one about Belt being more athletic.

Travis Lee might be a better comp for Belt.

Or, a lefty Derek Lee? Would that fit the non-offensive comp a little better too? Tall, athletic, good power, OBP, and contact skills, baserunning speed, projected defense at 1B.

by siddfynch on Nov 8, 2025 10:14 AM EST up reply actions

Could be a best case ceiling

When we make comps like this you have to recognize that a player posting a 40+ WAR career (likely for Lee by the time he’s done) is pretty rare.

http://www.crawfishboxes.com

by OremLK on Nov 8, 2025 10:48 AM EST up reply actions

Yes, a ceiling

In terms of parallel minor league timeline/performance, the Travis Lee comp actually might be not so bad..and certainly more “reasonable” in the sense of a more modest career.

by siddfynch on Nov 8, 2025 10:50 PM EST up reply actions

Derek Lee

That is the comp I made. Tall and athletic with a great power stroke.

by King Billy Royal on Nov 8, 2025 3:21 PM EST up reply actions

Speaking of Belt, he was toast against Jefferes last night.

by mr. maniac on Nov 7, 2025 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

Jeffress also threw 99-101 in that AB

I don’t think that many guys in the AFL would have been anything other than toast against that.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU_9zTD9B98&feature;=related
Apparently there's an epilepsy warning on this video. But it's so incredibly cool.

by IHateSouthBend on Nov 7, 2025 12:39 PM EST up reply actions

He swung at the pitches pretty far out of the zone though.

by mr. maniac on Nov 8, 2025 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

that's how i'm going to remember him by

never mind the three walks he worked or the ball he hit to left center field that almost went out.

by TimLaser and MattyC on Nov 8, 2025 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

+1 to TimLaser and MattyC

by tgd10 on Nov 8, 2025 3:55 PM EST up reply actions

Huff is a lefty at the plate

but he throws righty. Lefty throwing 1B have a defensive advantage, all other things being equal.

"Out of chaos comes order" - Nietzsche
"Oh, blow it out your a__" - Olson Johnson

by Russ on Nov 7, 2025 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

Exc.

Great stuff, John … and thanks to the illuminating responses as well.

by jedjethro on Nov 7, 2025 9:07 AM EST reply actions

John

have you seen Ivan DeJesus Jr? He has good stats(first on his team in average, 1st in OBP, 3rd in OPS). Seems to have his patience back( 6 walks in 13 games, 11.8%). Of course, SSS, but is this him answering the critics that his patience is gone and therefore he shouldnt get a shot at 2B in spring training?

by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Nov 7, 2025 6:54 PM EST reply actions