The Giants' Brandon Belt was one of my preseason breakout picks, so I wouldn't dare discount what he's already accomplished this season, hitting two home runs in two games. I'm especially encouraged by the one he hit off left-hander Wade Miley Tuesday considering he hit only three off lefties last season.
But the real test will come when he returns home to AT&T Park, where he hit only six of his 17 home runs last season. We already know he can slug it on the road. With the technology available to us in these modern times, we can surmise that only one of his two home runs so far in 2014 would have left AT&T Park, the other thwarted by that dastardly gap in right-center field.
Of course, in his last 200 at-bats, both home and away, Belt has nine home runs, which would put him on pace for more than 25 over a full season. And 25 for a player capable of hitting .300 is a big deal in and of itself. I mean, that's Freddie Freeman territory, provided he's playing every day.
So in a roundabout way, I guess I'm saying I'm encouraged by Belt's strong start, but I don't consider it validation just yet. Then again, I wouldn't be shy about acquiring him if the right offer came along. The floor for him seems pretty high.