It’s Bryce Eldridge’s time in San Francisco. The Giants are promoting Bryce Eldridge, the team’s first-round pick in 2023, to the MLB level. Eldridge will make his debut just a little over two years after his selection in the MLB Draft.
A Look at Eldridge
It wasn’t long ago that the Giants selected Bryce Eldridge. San Francisco’s previous regime did so two years ago, drafting the now-20-year-old as a two-way player out of high school in Virginia. Eldridge was the second such case of the last decade, as San Francisco picked UConn two-way player Reggie Crawford in the first round in 2022.
Eldridge, though, never pitched professionally. Instead, the Giants kept him as a full-time hitter, and he’s run through the Minor Leagues fast since his selection.
The 20-year-old made a fast impression in abbreviated action in 2023. Eldridge hit six home runs and posted a .905 OPS across 31 games that season, split between the ACL and San Jose (A). He then blasted 22 home runs across Low-A and High-A in 2024 before the Giants extended his season with two promotions to Richmond (AA) and Sacramento (AAA), respectively.
Eldridge cracked 15 extra-base hits across 34 games with Richmond early on this season to force his way back to the River Cats. He hit a speed bump in the summer when he suffered a hamstring strain, costing him nearly a month. Still, the numbers in Triple-A were not bad in what his a hitter’s paradise down in the PCL.
He slashed .249/.322/.514 (.836 OPS) with 18 home runs and 31 extra-base hits across 66 games with Sacramento.
Eldridge is a physical specimen who, at first glance, doesn’t look like a 240-pound man. But, he’s 6’7” and incredibly strong, showcasing plus bat speed that pops on video.
That power resulted in him being one of the best quality contact hitters at the Triple-A level. His 28 barreled baseballs (9.8 Barrel/PA) were fourth-most at that level since his promotion in early June. The only players with more were Jose Rojas (29, Yankees), Ryan Ward (32, Dodgers), and Bobby Dalbec (32, White Sox).
The whiff rate (20.1%) inside the zone is emblematic of the fact he doesn’t miss a ton of fastballs — not surprising given the bat speed. What can be a concern, at least based on his Triple-A numbers, is whether he’ll get too out in front.
| Pitch Type | Whiff% |
|---|---|
| Fastball | 18.2% |
| Changeup/Splitter | 47.7% |
| Slider/Sweeper | 52.8% |
Eldridge walked nearly 10% of his plate appearances with Sacramento. He will expand the zone (28.5% Chase%) at times.
Defensively, Eldridge started his pro career out in right field. It’s not hard to see why; Eldridge clocked in the mid-90s as a high school pitcher, making him a potentially desirable outfielder with a plus arm. However, the Giants slotted him at first in 2024 and never looked back. He’s yet to see a game in the outfield since 2023.
The San Francisco Chronicle first reported that Bryce Eldridge will be promoted to the Giants.
Analysis
This is a departure from what the Giants were saying just a few weeks ago. President of baseball operations Buster Posey stated in late August that the team was not planning on calling up Eldridge. Instead, the plan was for him to play out the year in Triple-A.
Since then, Eldridge has hit well; the former first-rounder slashed .283/.346/.500 (.846 OPS) with two home runs and six extra-base hits across 12 games in September. Things can change, however.
The Giants have found themselves thrust into a push for a postseason spot, thanks in large part to the Mets’ recent skid. Not to mention, Dominic Smith just went on the IL. Meaning, Eldridge not only has a spot to play but also can do so in meaningful games.
Aside from giving him a two-week cameo, it’ll also serve as a test to see if Eldridge, a key piece of the Giants’ future, can handle Major League pitching in his first action at the highest level. And, he’ll join a team full of players locked up (Rafael Devers, Willy Adames, Jung Hoo Lee) for the future.
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