Belt-Huff flip designed to improve Giants' outfield defense

San Francisco Giants prized rookie first baseman Brandon Belt might not be a first baseman come this weekend.

Because of shoddy defense in the outfield corners and with Cody Ross on the disabled list, Giants manager Bruce Bochy could flip-flop Belt and right fielder Aubrey Huff within the next couple days, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. With the Giants traveling next week to Colorado and its massive Coors Field outfield, the move seems logical.

Huff has been a statue in right while filling in for Ross. He has played singles into extra-base hits and is becoming a liability with his minus-3 defensive runs saved mark. Ross (strained calf) isn’t expected to be activated from the DL until late next week at the earliest.

Belt took fly balls during batting practice on Monday and Tuesday with Giants outfield coach Roberto Kelly. He was an outfielder before enrolling at Texas, and he played 14 games in the outfield in the minor leagues last season. He has said would be comfortable playing there again.

The consensus has been that Belt would go back to Class AAA Fresno once Ross is activated, which would put Huff back at first base for good. However, Bochy has said that he likes Belt’s approach at the plate despite his .158 average entering Wednesday's game.

It remains to be seen if Bochy’s love of Belt’s at-bats will be enough to keep Belt in the big leagues. It probably makes more sense to send Belt down and let him play every day rather than platoon him with Huff or Ross.



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