The Giants’ first-round pick in 2023 Bryce Eldridge has rapidly risen through the minors. Many fans hope he may even have an important part to play this year. His performance in spring training should give us a good idea whether he can.
Anticipation Grows for the Giants’ Premier Prospect This Spring
Drafted 16th overall from James Maddison High School, the 20-year-old was initially listed as a two-way prospect. The Giants announced their intention to focus on his hitting soon after, though. Bryce, standing at six-foot-seven, is a Giant (in both senses) and is limited to first base. Although many think he could play in a corner going forward. Particularly given his strong arm.
Ranked in the top-100 prospects by the end of 2023, there is no surprise that in 2025 he is seen as a special prospect. Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus have him at 12th and 15th respectively. Even the more reserved MLB.com rankings have him at 24th, not bad for a base is it?
The Giants though, will remain cautious. Top-hitting prospects Marco Luciano and Joey Bart struggled to make a successful transition to the majors. Luciano in particular is looking to still try and secure playing time, despite being dubbed the shortstop of the future.
BRYCE ELDRIDGE: “At some point this year, I wanna earn my way up [the majors] and force their hand… that’s the main goal for me. I don’t want to sit around in the minors. I want to be able to make an impact on the big league team and on the city as soon as possible.” pic.twitter.com/OZDvT2b4bq
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 21, 2025
Who is Bryce Eldridge as a prospect?
When you draft a first-baseman, you expect one thing. Power. Eldridge has that in abundance. He led the minor leagues among teenagers in both slugging and home runs. Bear in mind too, he played across four different levels. Experts give him a potential 70 power grade and expect him to compete for home run titles as a major leaguer. A big compliment for a left-handed hitter at Oracle Park. He beautifully combines leverage, strength and a fast swing to generate freakish power for such a young man.
There is plenty more to his game than just that though. His hit tool is expected to play well in the majors. That fast swing allows him to get to the fastball, often an issue for guys of his size. He has had some issues chasing at the higher levels, but a 20-year-old in his first full year is allowed that.
Despite being limited to first base, he has decent speed and athleticism. He did commit 18 errors last year but expect him to continue to get better. Especially as he was a two-way player throughout high school. The Giants also have the unfortunate advantage or not having a genuine DH, meaning his defense would not limit his ability to see major league pitching in 2025.
What to expect this season
The Giants’ poor performances since 2021 leave fans frustrated. An exciting prospect like Eldridge has emerged, and fans are eager to see him play. While this eagerness is understandable, it’s crucial to remember that he is still developing.
He will likely start the year in triple-A Sacramento, where he ended 2024. He might even begin in double-A Richmond. The late-season promotion was bold, as Eldridge played only nine games at the double-A level.
No matter where he starts, his season will depend on his performance. He had an impressive .890 OPS across four levels last year, but his eight games with the River Cats were disappointing. Many view this step up as significant, especially with strong league-ready pitchers. Eldridge’s success hinges on his ability to improve against secondary pitches. He also needs to work on reducing strikeouts across various levels.
This year, he may get his chance if he proves himself. The Giants have gaps at first base and DH. LaMonte Wade Jr. is injury-prone, and Wilmer Flores is declining. Jake Lamb is also expected to compete for a spot. A September call-up could help manage his service time, especially at his young age.
Eldridge got off to a fast start this spring with a home run in his first at bat.
Bryce Eldridge hit a 450-foot homer to center in his first spring training game
pic.twitter.com/y3l2B6SlHI
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) February 22, 2025
Regardless of what happens this season, it won’t define Bryce Eldridge. At just 20, he remains one of baseball’s most exciting prospects. Whether it’s 2025 or 2026, expect Bryce to make a splash—hopefully in McCovey Cove.
Main Photo Credits: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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