If you were in Bruch Bochy’s position, you would probably feel just as spoiled as he does. For years, spring training for the San Francisco Giants’ manager was simply an opportunity to see if there was anyone he could work with and just hope the season didn’t turn out to be as average as the one before it. This year, with a World Series championship still coursing through his veins, everything’s changed. And not the least of that comes with the emergence of first baseman Brandon Belt.

Belt has been doing everything right, auditioning for his first job in the major leagues. After going through the MLB draft three times, he finally chose to sign a contract with San Francisco and ended up shooting through three levels of minor league ball in 2010. As you would expect, his numbers looked worse with each move, but there’s something more to Belt than a simple stat sheet would show you, and it’s that X-factor of his that’s making it difficult for Bochy to ignore.

In 48 at-bats this spring, Belt is hitting .271 with a .327 on-base percentage and slugging .500. He’s hit two home runs and five doubles, driving in 10 and scored eight of his own. He’s also swiped two bags. The concerning number is his 10 strikeouts. He’ll have to bring that number down to become an even greater threat. Some already expect he’ll be the NL Rookie of the Year, giving the Giants a repeat in that category as catcher Buster Posey took that honor in 2010.

This season, the Giants won’t just be trying to beat other teams; they’ll be the team to beat. The pressure will be on them like it is for any team after winning a championship. Breaking camp with Belt might be too soon for the 23-year-old. Having only played in 13 games above Double A, the decision to move him to the majors could go either way. The Giants aren’t in a panic mode, so they’ll still probably send Belt back to the Pacific Coast League, hoping that when they do call him up, it will be for good.