VIDEO: Belt homers in Triple-A debut

Belt went 1-for-3 in his AAA debut, hitting his 20th HR of the year.

Yesterday, I wasn’t even sure I still wanted to go to the Grizzlies-Rivercats game.

When I originally bought the tickets two months ago, Buster Posey was still in Fresno. Going was a no-brainer then.

But with Posey in San Francisco now and the game time temperature in Sacramento expected to be somewhere between two goats in a pepper patch and a stolen tamale, I almost put the tickets on Craigslist.

Then I got word that Giants’ 2009 fifth round draft pick Brandon Belt was promoted to Triple-A and would be making his Grizzlies’ debut against the Sacramento Rivercats.

That changed everything.

Hot or not, I was going to see this kid myself. So, the boy and I jumped in the car and headed over to Raley Field. (FYI … It’s not hard to convince a 6-year old to go to a baseball game, no matter what the weather. Beats homework and an early bedtime any day of the week, after all.)

We got to the ballpark, grabbed our seats and saw that Fresno manager Steve Decker had Belt (who wore No. 20) batting third and playing left field. No pressure, kid.

Not that Belt is the timid type or easily intimidated. On the contrary, the tall 22-year old trotted onto the field rockin’ the double-orange-striped socks (a la Barry Zito). He’s got the game and the attitude to match.

Belt didn’t take long to impress the always-friendly Rivercats faithful. In his second at bat, he blasted his 20th home run of the season (see video below), the first Grizzly since Nate Schierholtz in 2007 to homer in his Triple-A debut. The southpaw also walked two times and scored a couple runs. Honestly, he looked quite experienced at the plate. He’s got a nice, level swing and he’s patient as all heck. He’s got a great eye.

I’m telling you, if tonight’s game is any indication, the kid from Texas is going to be a bona fide big leaguer real soon.

Oh yeah. Belt also stole his 21st base of the year and finished the night 1-for-3. Belt is one of just two minor league players to have 20+ HR, 20+ SB, and 20+ doubles, joining Nick Franklin (Class-A Clinton).

It’s hard to believe that this is Belt’s first professional season. He has absolutely dominated at every stop. After 77 games at Single-A San Jose, where he annihilated Cal League pitching with a .383/.492/.628/1.121 slash line, he was promoted to Double-A Richmond. In just 45 games with the Flying Squirrels, Belt batted .333 with 9 HR and 40 RBI.

Now he’s already making a name for himself at Triple-A.

I was surprised to hear some of the Rivercats/A’s fans in my section talk so highly of Belt. (Truthfully, I was surprised that they even knew who he was.)

It wasn’t a perfect night for Belt, by any means. He struck out in his first at bat and looked very uncomfortable in left field all night. He misjudged a fly ball hit by Sacramento outfielder Matt Watson in the third inning that had Belt twisting his body the wrong way.

Later, in the ninth inning, Belt came up with a runner at second base and one out. With the Grizzlies down by a run, Belt had a chance to show what he’s made of — and he grounded out sharply to first base. No worries, kid. There will be other chances.

That home run he hit in the fourth inning? Thoroughly impressive. It was a towering blast that sailed high over the 403-foot sign in straight-away centerfield. A true thing of beauty.

And that alone was worth the price of admission.

Videos and pics (taken from my cheap Samsung SL605 point-and-click):

My 6-year old son, Bailey, watches diligently for the lemonade man.

Belt chews his nails in the bottom of the first inning. Habit or nerves?

Belt digs in during his first at bat as a Grizzly.

Belt (20) and Decker (26) chatting at third. Love the socks!

Brandon Belts his first Triple-A HR
Uploaded by 22gigantes.

Brandon Belt draws a walk
Uploaded by 22gigantes.

On a side note, I had a chance to meet up with one of my tweeps, tony_lasarte, a cool dude who runs a nice little Giants blog called “A Giant Sailor.” It was fun hanging out for a couple of innings. Too young to drink beer, but a cool dude nonetheless.