San Francisco Giants: Final Spring Training Headlines As Opening Day Looms

Brandon Belt Is…Scorching Hot

I wrote last week that Brandon Belt’s spring training success shouldn’t be used as an indicator of what’s to come in the regular season. Now, I’m starting to lean the other way.

Belt went 4-for-4 with two home runs on Friday to raise his spring training stat line to .448/.471/.925 with eight home runs and 19 RBI. That can hardly be avoided regardless of who he’s doing it against. Baseball-Reference infers that he’s faced nearly all MLB competition, as his OppQual rating is 9.2. Ten is MLB competition.

Mar 19, 2013; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) singles during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The one observation that instantly catches the eye is Belt’s home run total. The “Baby Giraffe” hit a grand total of seven home runs in 2012, and it took him until September to reach that mere total. But with a refined stance, he’s generating more power and more confidence.

While Belt isn’t always facing major league caliber pitchers in spring training, he’s certainly proven that 2013 could be his breakout year. And after two rocky seasons in the majors, that would only be fitting.