Fifth round picks in the MLB often take time to become top prospects, but Brandon Belt quickly became a star in the Giants organization. After posting a .352 combined batting average in his first full minor league season and moving all the way up to AAA, he not only became the top Giants prospect, but one of the top 25 prospects in all of baseball. These awesome numbers allowed him to receive a promotion to the Giants out of Spring Training the following season. He was clearly on a path to be a key figure in their lineup for years to come.
But, since his promotion he has struggled to be the same type of slugger he was during his first professional season. During his rookie season with the Giants, Belt slumped while bouncing like a pinball from the majors to the minors. He finished the season batting just .225 with just nine home runs.
In 2012 and 2013 while he saw his average rise, he still was unable to harness his raw power he showed during his first minor league season as he was only able to hit a combined 24 home runs. Instead of being a force in the lineup that pitchers feared, Belt was player that teams attacked.
This season however, Belt’s bat has again become mighty. Even though he has missed over a month of time due to a broken thumb, his home run totals have been better than ever. In a Giant lineup that features power throughout, Belt has been the best. While playing in just 38 games, Belt already has ten homers. Not only was he on fire during his rehab stint, where he batted .520 with three bombs, he proved to be a key contributor when he returned to the Giants lineup during the first week of July. In just his second game back, Belt crushed a 2-2 fastball off Dale Thayer out of the park in the tenth inning for what proved to be the game winner.
Now fully healthy, Brandon Belt is on pace for a career year. In a lineup that is much stronger than previous years, he may be the best. After looking like less than a giant during much of his major league career, he has finally put things together with the Giants.
Statistics Provided by Baseball Reference
Photo Credit: Getty Images
