Bryce

Eldridge

It’s one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. We still don’t have a sarcasm font. Eldridge took Tyler Mahle deep and also singled. The 6-foot-7 slugger is going to open the season in the minors, but he has a chance to provide some fantasy fireworks before the end of 2026.

Giants’ skipper Tony Vitello had hinted last week that Eldridge could open the season at Triple-A so that he could continue playing every day rather than functioning in a platoon role with the Giants, so this doesn’t come as a major surprise. He’ll definitely get a chance with the Giants at some point during the 2026 campaign.

Giants manager Tony Vitello seemed to indicate earlier this week that there was a possibility Eldridge could begin the year in at Triple-A Sacramento. It might be the correct decision for the 21-year-old top prospect’s long-term development to continue playing everyday in the minors as opposing to occupying a platoon role in the big leagues. There are two weeks left before San Francisco has to make a decision on his immediate future.

The 21-year-old has gone 6-for-25 (.240) this spring with one home run, six runs scored, five RBI, and a 10/5 K/BB ratio. He also hit just .107/.297/.179 in 37 plate appearances with the Giants last season and had a strikeout rate of 31 percent in 66 games at Triple-A last season, so there is certainly an argument that he could use a bit more time in the minor leagues. If Eldridge does start the season in Triple-A, the Giants could use the DH spot for more at-bats for Casey Schmitt and Luis Matos and could perhaps carry Victor Bericoto on the Opening Day roster after he has impressed this spring.

We’re seeing close to a full lineup from the Giants in this one, with the only regular not here being Heliot Ramos who batted third in Saturday’s contest. It looks like new skipper Tony Vitello is content letting Arraez bat atop the lineup while Matt Chapman’s inclusion in the second spot is mildly intriguing. Just something to keep an eye on. Here’s the full lineup for Sunday: Luis Arraez (2B), Matt Chapman (3B), Willy Adames (SS), Rafael Devers (1B), Patrick Bailey (C), Jung Hoo Lee (RF), Bryce Eldridge (DH), Will Brennan (LF) and Harrison Bader (CF).

Eldridge, who underwent offseason wrist surgery to remove a bone spur, can cement his spot on San Francisco’s season-opening roster, floating between first base and DH, with a strong performance this spring. The 21-year-old power-hitting prospect struggled last year in his first exposure to big-league pitching but he’s still only 21 years old and possesses respectable plate skills for a masher with his towering frame. Eldridge offers sky-high over-the-fence power potential but there’s enough risk present that his immediate fantasy appeal is strictly limited to deeper mixed leagues as a late-round flyer.

The 21-year-old slugger underwent surgery in October to remove a bone spur from his wrist. While it delayed his usual offseason routine, Eldridge said he has been swinging a bat since mid-December and won’t have any restrictions in spring training. Eldridge and Rafael Devers are expected to cover the first base and designated hitter spots in the Giants’ lineup for the upcoming season.

It’s worth $12 million, according to The Athletic’s Katie Woo. Arraez wanted to play second base, and the Giants have decided to give it a try, though they would have room for him as a first baseman/DH if they need to send down Bryce Eldridge. Initially, though, it’ll be Casey Schmitt he’s displacing from the lineup. Arraez, of course, will be bringing three batting titles with him to San Francisco, but his OPS+s have dipped from 128 in both 2022 and ’23 to 107 in 2024 and 99 last season with the Padres. Given his lack of defensive value, he really needs to rebound beyond his 2024 production to be a quality regular.

Edridge’s name surfaced over the weekend in a report from the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser as a possible trade candidate, but it sounds like there are no immediate plans to send him packing. The 21-year-old slugging prospect struggled in his first taste of the big leagues this past season, but he’s one of the more promising power-hitting prospects in the game considering his combination of hard contact and solid contact skills for a player of his immense physical stature. He figures to split time at the cold corner with Devers heading into next season unless the Giants decide to make a splash by signing free agent Kyle Schwarber.

At this point, every MLB team should at least check in on Schwarber after he hit 56 home runs and drove in 132 runs and finished second in NFL MVP voting. With Rafael Devers in town and top prospect Bryce Elridge looking MLB-ready. It seems unlikely that the Giants will land Schwarber.