San Francisco Giants Mailbag: Belt, Backup Catcher, Non-Roster Invitees
Oct 7, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Brandon Belt (9) during batting practice before game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game against the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
@MaggiePilloton Now that Sandoval is with the Red Sox, which Giants player will take his place in the lineup (offensive wise)?
— Jessica Suzette (@jessie_suzette) February 18, 2015
It will take somewhat of a team effort, figuratively and literally, to make up for what Pablo Sandoval would have provided the Giants. The lineup will shift with Sandoval out, as Buster Posey will most likely hit third, Hunter Pence will most likely hit fourth, and Brandon Belt will most likely hit fifth.
The Giants added Casey McGehee in the offseason to fill the everyday third baseman role (and will most likely hit sixth in the lineup), but McGehee won’t be solely responsible for taking Sandoval’s place in the lineup or making up for Sandoval’s production. McGehee knows that he can’t completely fill Sandoval’s shoes (and they’re big shoes to fill), and he knows he’ll have to find his own niche on this team.
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McGehee has some pop in his bat, but again, he can’t solely make up for Sandoval’s power. McGehee can hit for average though and can hit in the heart of the lineup, so he will help make up for the loss of Sandoval in that aspect.
The Giants also expect Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik to hit for more power this season, which will again emphasize the “team effort” aspect of “replacing” Sandoval’s production.
The Giants will need several players up and down the lineup to collectively fill the hole that Sandoval left when he signed with the Red Sox, but one player who will have the most significant impact at filling that hole is Belt.
Belt is set to have a breakout season in 2015.
In 2014, Belt got off to an insanely hot start, as he hit five home runs in his first eight games, and he had nine home runs when he first got injured on May 9th, when he broke his thumb. Belt returned to the Giants on July 4th, but he went back on the DL 11 days later after being hit in the face with a pitch and suffering a concussion. He returned two weeks later but felt recurring concussion symptoms, so he went back on the DL five games later. Belt returned to the Giants’ lineup for good on September 17th.
In the 2014 postseason, Belt hit .300 and collected eight RBI in 17 games. He also hit the memorable 18th inning home run that gave the Giants a key Game Two win against the Washington Nationals in the NLDS.
The Giants were without Belt for almost four months during the 2014 regular season, which was tough, especially given the fact that he got off to such a hot start. Belt will turn 27 at the beginning of the 2015 season, so he will be entering his prime years as a MLB player. Given that and his hot start and finish to the 2014 season, Belt is set to have a breakout season and one in which he could potentially hit at least 20-25 home runs.
A breakout season from Belt would certainly help make up for the loss of Sandoval, and even Michael Morse, in the middle of the Giants’ lineup.
Next: Who Should Be the Backup Catcher?