- " I know many of you are well aware of Brandon Belt's exploits in the minors this season, but for those of you who aren't, it's officially time to start paying attention. Serious attention. Belt, a first baseman, tore up the California League earlier this year while playing for High-A San Jose and hasn't slowed down at all since being promoted to Double-A Richmond. In fact, he's gotten even better, with five homers and a .417 average in 12 games. Add it all up and the 22-year-old is hitting .388 with a .488 on-base percentage and .653 slugging percentage.

Want some pop? Belt has **forgive me** "belted” 15 homers and 29 doubles. Want speed? He has five triples and 18 stolen bases. Want signs that this isn't a fluke? Well the Red Sox (11th round, 2006) and Braves (11th round, 2007) both tried to snag him before he went to play at Texas. He was picked in the fifth round by the Giants last year.

The regular beat guys know much more about this organization than I do, but I asked around a little and the sense seems to be that it wouldn't be a shocker to see Belt up here in September. In a recent Baseball America chat, Ben Badler said Belt is in the running for Minor League Player of the Year. The Chron's Henry Schulman hit me with an excellent comparison, saying Belt's career path lately is reminiscent of Pablo Sandoval, who after a slow minor league start, rocketed from San Jose to San Francisco in 2008. One difference? Belt's **I can't help myself** "belt” is much smaller; he's 6-foot-5 but just 195 pounds.