Belanger brings small frame, big talent to Royals

Ryan Belanger wasn’t only subjected to cheers and jeers each time he stepped onto the mound at Southern Mississippi.

On occasion, it was also sneers.

&#8220There were some games that I would hear laughter coming from the other team’s dugout because of my size,” explained Belanger, who measures in at 5-foot-9, 160-pounds. &#8220If I would have been an infielder, it probably wouldn’t have looked as bad. But your average college pitcher is at least 6-feet tall.”

Nonetheless, the Vandebilt Catholic graduate ultimately had the last laugh when he signed a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals last month.

Since then, Belanger has been developing his game with the AZL Royals, the Royals rookie league team based in Surprise, Ariz.

&#8220I don’t come from a large family, but I always used that to my advantage,” Belanger explained. &#8220I always had a chip on my shoulder about my size, and it always motivated me to work harder.”

And the hard work paid off – especially during a senior campaign that saw the right-handed hurler post an 8-4 record and 2.54 ERA in 16 starts with Southern Mississippi.

Belanger closed out the spring with a team-high 86 strikeouts, a team-low 18 walks and limited opposing batters to a combined .243 average.

The stats were bolstered by a formidable curveball, but it was the development of other pitches that attracted the attention of scouts.

&#8220Ryan was able to locate his fastball and add a changeup, both of which he didn’t have when he came here,” said Golden Eagles coach Corky Palmer. &#8220He improved tremendously between his junior and senior year and didn’t just become our best pitcher, but also one of the best pitchers in the league.”

That’s why Belanger was disappointed that he didn’t get picked up during the Major League draft. Dejected but not deterred, Belanger went back to living his regular life with the hope of getting signed as a free agent.

Four days later, his cell phone rang.

&#8220I was cutting my parents’ lawn when I finally got the call,” Belanger said. &#8220I knew a Royals scout had been interested in me. He had watched me pitch and liked what he saw. He was surprised that I hadn’t been contacted by anyone and that he wanted to sign me because he liked what I brought to the table. He said it would be a great opportunity for both of us.

&#8220It was very exciting. It was the best phone call I ever received.”

But one he should have expected.

Baseball is in Belanger’s blood. Chad, the oldest of the Belanger boys, went on to play at Louisiana Tech. His other older brother, Brandon, pitched at Tulane and spent time in the San Diego Padres minor league system.

&#8220I always looked up to them a lot,” Belanger said. &#8220We were all blessed with good arms and an ability to learn the game at an early age, but we had to work hard for what we got. That’s the way it is the higher you go in baseball. All of the people (in college and minor league baseball) are there for a reason.”

Belanger has continually proven that he belongs at each level.

After posting a 6-2 record and 1.17 ERA during his senior season at Vandebilt, he took the hill at Copiah-Lincoln Community College (Natchez, Miss.), where he helped lead the Wolves to a 32-28-1 record and a third-place finish at the NJCAA Division II College World Series as a sophomore.

Then it was off to Southern Mississippi, where Belanger posted a 16-7 record over two seasons. His senior numbers, in particular, earned him a second-team All-Conference USA accolades and ultimately paved the way for his shot at the majors.

They also proved that good things can come in smaller packages.

&#8220Ryan is a competitive kid who doesn’t back down from anyone, no matter who it is,” Palmer said. &#8220I’m very happy for him. All he ever wanted was a chance, and now he’s got it.”