In this age of launch angle and exit velocity and swing path, the reigning National League home run kings have come out…not swinging.
The first hit for the San Francisco Giants in 2022 was a third inning bunt by Brandon Belt. I was floored, absolutely knocked out of my boots, when Belt squared around on that pitch. No doubt Miami was too—it led to an errant throw and allowed Joey Bart to score from first.
Bunt leads to error leads to run—and just like that the Giants were on the board in 2022.
Belt’s bunt, so far, has been prophecy.