Tony Vitello and Bryce Eldridge: A Reunion Years in the Making for the Giants
SAN FRANCISCO - Tony Vitello knows what it’s like to chase talent. He built a powerhouse at Tennessee by doing exactly that - identifying elite players early, building relationships, and selling a vision.
But even the best recruiters miss a few. One of those misses?
Bryce Eldridge. Now, in a twist of baseball fate, the two are finally on the same side.
Back when Eldridge was a standout at James Madison High School in Virginia, Vitello had his eye on him. The timing lined up: Eldridge was graduating just as Vitello was turning Tennessee into a national contender.
There were even some family ties to the state. It looked like a perfect fit.
“There's some roots there,” Vitello said on the Giants Talk podcast this week. “And then also sometimes you come across a kid like him that's so polite and is such a good kid, he gives you the warm fuzzies like it's going to work out.”
But Eldridge never made it to Knoxville. The Giants snagged him with the No. 16 overall pick, and the decision to go pro was a no-brainer. He’s been on a rocket ship ever since, making his big league debut in September - just weeks before Vitello was named San Francisco’s new manager.
Now, the two are finally aligned, and Vitello sounds genuinely excited about what’s ahead.
“I think his potential is off the charts,” he said. “Because a lot of people - when they start talking about him - they lose context of who he is and where he came from.”
That’s not just coach-speak. Vitello’s point is that Eldridge is still scratching the surface.
He’s from a northern state, which means fewer reps growing up. He was a dominant high school pitcher - and a good one - but that meant limited time in the field, limited baserunning, and fewer chances to develop the full toolkit.
As Vitello put it, “sometimes you pinch-run for that guy automatically in a high school game.”
And despite already reaching the majors, Eldridge hasn’t even logged 1,000 professional at-bats yet. That’s not much when you consider the size of the leap he’s already made.
“You’re talking about a guy that’s in the infant stage of his development,” Vitello said. “And on top of that, he’s still growing into a body that’s huge. As athletic as he is, it’s a huge frame.”
The Giants clearly believe in Eldridge’s ceiling - and Vitello does, too. The organization brought in this new staff with a clear mandate: develop young talent better. And if Eldridge hits the ground running in 2026, it’ll go a long way in validating that decision.
He’s not being handed anything, though. A job at first base or DH won’t be gifted to him in spring training.
But make no mistake - he’s the frontrunner. Pairing him with Rafael Devers could give the Giants one of the most powerful corner tandems in the league.
When Eldridge reports to Scottsdale in February, he’ll find some familiar faces - or at least familiar names. Vitello estimates he tried to recruit seven or eight current Giants players during his time at Tennessee, including several prospects. While only a couple, like Drew Gilbert and Blade Tidwell, actually played for him, the connections run deep.
Eldridge is one that got away. But now, he’s here - and Vitello is ready to help him take the next step.
“One of these days, over a coffee - he’s barely 21, so it’ll be a coffee - we’ll sit down and maybe rehash things,” Vitello said with a smile. “But more importantly, I’m looking forward to pushing forward and helping him become the best player he can become.”
The chase is over. Now comes the real work.