SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – It’s time for Bruce Bochy to pull the trigger. It’s time for the Giants manager to end the suspense.
It’s time for him to make rookie Brandon Belt his starting first baseman.
Bochy has been evasive on his plans for the phenom slugger. But Belt has done everything possible this spring to prove he belongs in the major leagues, even with a team that is coming off a World Series title.
With 14 games left on the Giants’ spring schedule, Belt was tied for the team lead in RBIs (10), has hit two homers and owns a .522 slugging percentage in 18 games. That is after pulling out of an 0-for-9 slump Wednesday by going 3-for-4.
Bochy needs to pull to let the kid know his fate soon, because the move would have a domino effect. Aubrey Huff would move from first to left, affecting outfielder Pat Burrell and super-sub Mark DeRosa’s time there. And, as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote Thursday, Huff has yet to play a game in left.
Granted, there is arbitration eligibility and contract issues to weigh. And Belt’s promotion would be incredibly fast (one season) for a team that likes to work its players through the system.
But Belt is not a pitcher that needed seasoning like Tim Lincecum or Madison Bumgarner. Belt is a slugger who is major-league ready.
Time is running out, Bruce. Belt should stay in the bigs or not go to Triple-A Fresno. Either way, for his sake — and others — there needs to be a decision. Soon.
After Belt’s big day, where does he start? [SF Gate]
