What are the San Francisco Giants doing with Brandon Belt? At 23-years old, Belt is rated among the elite prospects in baseball, however the Giants are not giving him the opportunity to play everyday. Through the first six games, he has just 11 at-bats and is the owner of a .091 batting average. I’m not going to point fingers at any one person, but the Giants organizational philosophy is failing Belt. If he is not going to play everyday, he should be at Triple-A to get playing time. Keeping him on the bench in San Francisco is not helping his development. I just don’t get it – the Giants are offensively challenged and Belt can hit. In 2010, Belt hit 23 home runs, 112 RBI, and finished the minor league season with a .352 BA. I have heard a few “experts” say that Nate Schierholtz is off to a hot start. Really? Schierholtz had one great game this year going 2-4 with 2 HR. Those are his only two hits of the season and his batting average is well below .200. Aubrey Huff has just three hits as well this year and he is receiving more playing time than Belt. The only thing that makes sense to me is there must be something about Belt that the organization does not feel comfortable with at this time. If the Giants keep Belt at the major league level, he must play and have the opportunity to get comfortable at the major league level.

In other fantasy news…..

• In 6 games, Josh Willingham has 4 HR’s, is batting .409 and has a hit in every game. The best part about his early season home run binge is that three of his HR’s have all been at Target Field.
• Matt Garza was dominant on Thursday. He struck out nine and gave up three hits over 8 2/3 shutout innings against the Brewers on Thursday.
• Brad Lidge blew a save opportunity on Thursday as he gave up two runs on two hits and he also issued a pair of walks. Fortunately for Lidge, the Nationals came back to win the game. With Drew Storen on the DL for at least the next six weeks, don’t be surprised if Henry Rodriguez emerges as the main guy.
• Tim Hudson continues to rehab from spinal fusion surgery and is encouraged with the rehab starts. Hudson is still a few weeks away from returning to the Braves rotation.
• Drew Stubbs is off to a horrendous start to the season at the plate. Stubbs was 0-5 on Thursday in the leadoff spot for the Reds and has just 4 hits in 25 AB. Following a disaster of a second half last year, I am really beginning to worry about Stubbs. I have him in my NL-Only league and was hoping to see him start quick, but nothing looks different to me. So for now, Stubbs is on my bench until he figures things out.
• Jacob Ellsbury left the game today with a shoulder injury. This is the worst news the Red Sox could have received. Lets hope Ellsbury is back sooner than later.