Two-time World Series champ among the guest instructors in SF Giants camp

SF Giants camp is officially underway, meaning that a lot of familiar faces will stop by as guest instructors. Two-time World Series champ Brandon Belt will be among the guest instructors this time around.

Two-time World Series champ among the guest instructors in SF Giants camp

Dave Righetti and Yusmeiro Petit are already in camp, working with pitchers as they ramp up for the year. Righetti pitched for over 15 years in the majors, and served as a pitching coach for the Giants for nearly two decades. 

On the other hand, Petit appeared in 14 major league seasons, including four years with the Giants. He is relatively new in this role, but he has a lot to offer younger pitchers. Despite never having overpowering velocity, Petit thrived in the majors due to being able to command his pitches and disrupt a hitter’s timing. 

The Giants will have a lot of regulars in camp, including Joe Panik, Jeremy Affeldt, Rich Aurilia, Hunter Pence, and Will Clark. 

Jeff Kent will also be in camp as a guest instructor. It has been a whirlwind of a year for the former second baseman. His son, Kaeden Kent, was selected in the third round of the MLB draft by the New York Yankees last summer. 

In December, the elder Kent was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era Baseball Committee. This was followed by the Giants announcing that they would retire his No. 21. Kent joked that he would want to wear a Yankees hat to honor his son, if he was invited to Giants camp. That may no longer be a joke.

Brandon Belt is one of the most notable names on the list. He played in 13 seasons, including 12 years with the Giants. His final year came in 2023 with the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Belt put up an .858 OPS with 19 home runs and 43 RBI in 404 plate appearances that year. He had interest in continuing his playing career but was baffled by the lack of interest in free agency.

The left-handed bat is now two years removed from playing in his last game, so a comeback appears unlikely. The Giants plan to honor Belt in 2026. In the meantime, he will return to familiar territory with the Giants. This time, it will be as an instructor.