After a 107-win season in 2021, the Giants have yet to record a winning season since then. This includes two 4th-place finishes and one 3rd-place finish within the division. So far in 2025, they have a 74-71 record, 2 games back of the final wild card slot. The highlight of the year was acquiring Rafael Devers from the Red Sox. The Giants gave up a slew of prospects, including Kyle Harrison and James Tibbs III, while taking on the remainder of Devers’ contract. The Giants made this blockbuster trade without giving up top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who the organization highly valued.
Is Bryce Eldridge the Giants’ 1B Option for the Future?
Minor League successes and failures
After being the 16th overall pick in the 2023 draft, Bryce Eldridge signed for $4 million out of high school. In his first season, Eldridge saw both Rookie and Low-A pitching, hitting .294 in 31 games. His first full professional season, he started in Low-A, playing in 51 games. In those games, Eldridge slashed .263/.323/.478 with 24 XBH and 45 RBIs. However, strikeouts were a problem for him as he struck out 61 times in those 51 games. This then saw him promoted to High-A, where his game continued to develop, getting in 48 games at the level. Eldridge managed to hit .335 with a 1.060 OPS, driving in 41 while hitting 12 home runs. His strikeout problem continued, however, as he struck out 52 times in 48 games.
Due to his success, Eldridge found himself in both Double-A and Triple-A before the season ended. While he did struggle, it provided him with much-needed exposure at that level. To start the 2025 season, Bryce Eldridge was in Double-A with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. He played in 34 games at the level, slashing .280/.350/.512 with 7 home runs and 8 doubles. Eldridge’s strikeout problem persisted, though with 39 of them in those 34 games he played. This success saw him go up to Triple-A, where he continues to develop. Through 61 games at the level, Eldridge is hitting .236 with a .811 OPS to go along with 27 XBH. However, his strikeout rate has worsened as he has 83 strikeouts in those 61 games.
What does the future hold for Eldridge and the Giants?
While Bryce Eldridge holds a career 27.7 K% in the minor leagues, the organization has full confidence in him being the future first baseman. Despite the Devers addition, GM Buster Posey has stated that Eldridge will continue to play at first for the organization. As he had struggled in 2024 with 18 errors, his defense has only improved over time, and this has allowed for continued confidence in the 6’7 slugger. For the future, he may make the opening day roster in 2026, but it is unlikely. However, he should see the Majors sometime in the 2026 season. Once he does debut, he will join a lineup featuring Devers, Willy Adames, Jung Hoo Lee, and Matt Chapman. With a rotation led by Logan Webb and Robbie Ray, the Giants should be able to return to challenge for the NL West title and back for the NL Pennant.
Main Photo Credits: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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