Belt makes Giants' 25-man roster, Ishikawa out

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March 30, 2011GIANTS PAGEGIANTS VIDEO

CSNBayArea.com staff

The Giants designated first baseman Travis Ishikawa for assignment Wednesday afternoon, making room on the roster for young slugger Brandon Belt.

Manager Bruce Bochy wasted little time in designating Belt as the team's everyday first baseman.

"We wanted to break with the best club and right now we feel that having Brandon on the club makes us that," Bochy said shortly after the team's final exhibition game. "He's not going to sit. (Aubrey) Huff goes to right field."

Belt made perhaps his biggest statement in the Cactus League last Saturday. His two-run homer tied the game, and he finished with three RBI in the Giants' 8-5 win.

Belt, who turns 23 next month, was a fifth-round pick out of Texas in the 2009 draft. In his first pro season, He hit 23 homers and added 22 steals in 492 at-bats across three levels in the team's minor league system.

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"I'm not sure if I'm going to have a heart attack or cry," Belt said. "This is pretty much the most exciting day of my life."

Bochy said Belt deserved to make the team because he was the best player at his position. Belt will start at first base for the Giants, moving Huff -- who was among the first to congratulate the rookie -- to right field.

"I think Huff was crying more than Brandon," Bochy joked.

Belt was the recipient of the the 2011 Harry S. Jordan Award winner in a vote by his teammates, coaches and training staff.

The Harry S. Jordan Award, which is named in honor of a former longtime minor league trainer for the club, is given in recognition of the player in his first big league camp whose performance and dedication in spring training best exemplifies the Giants spirit.

Outfielder Nate Schierholtz made the team, his situation aided by the fact that Cody Ross is on the 15-day DL.

Relievers Guillermo Mota and Dan Runzler made the Opening Day roster but Marc Kroon, who saved 177 games in Japan, did not. Same for but right-hander Ryan Vogelsong.

Steve Edlefsen, Ryan Rohlinger, Ryan Vogelsong and Chris Stewart were also sent to Triple-A Fresno.

The Giants have 10 days to trade or waive Ishikawa.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

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