Bryce Eldridge Turns Heads as Giants Weigh Spring Breakout and Opening Day Future
The buzz around Bryce Eldridge has been building steadily since the Giants selected him in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft. Now, with spring training on the horizon and a new manager in Tony Vitello, the anticipation has reached a new level.
Could Eldridge break camp with the big-league club? That’s the question on everyone’s mind in San Francisco.
After making his late-season debut in 2025, Eldridge enters camp as one of the most intriguing storylines in the Giants’ camp. And while fans are eager to see the 6-foot-7 slugger in orange and black on Opening Day, the organization is taking a measured approach - one that prioritizes long-term growth over short-term excitement.
“We’ll just see how spring training plays out,” said Giants president of baseball operations Buster Posey during an interview on KNBR’s Murph and Markus. “We’ll monitor where we think he is, his progress in all facets of the game, and weigh that against what’s best for his development long-term.”
In other words, nothing is guaranteed. The Giants are walking the line between opportunity and patience - a balancing act familiar to any team with a top-tier prospect.
Eldridge, ranked No. 25 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list, has the tools to make an impact. But the Giants want to make sure the timing is right.
A Glimpse at Versatility
One wrinkle in Eldridge’s spring training story: he’s been seen taking reps in the outfield. That’s not a position he’s played much in the minors, but with Rafael Devers expected to handle most of the first base and DH duties, it could be a way to expand Eldridge’s value - and his path to the roster.
Posey explained that the outfield work wasn’t part of a major position switch, but rather a product of a conversation between Eldridge and Vitello.
“If we’re going to stand out and shag during [batting practice], let’s see what it looks like,” Posey said. “I don’t think it’s anything extremely pressing.
But also, you never know. There’s a chance that Bryce goes out there and gets really comfortable, and then it opens up another door for him and for us.”
That said, Posey was clear: the Giants still view Eldridge primarily as a first baseman or designated hitter. But the willingness to experiment - even a little - shows the club’s openness to creativity when it comes to getting a bat like Eldridge’s into the lineup.
A Draft Incentive, But Not a Deciding Factor
There’s another layer to this decision, thanks to MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive. Instituted in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement, the rule rewards teams with an extra draft pick if a Top 100 prospect accrues a full year of service time as a rookie and wins (or finishes high in) major awards like Rookie of the Year.
Eldridge checks that first box - he’s firmly in the Top 100 - but Posey downplayed the idea that the rule would sway the club’s thinking.
“Draft pick aside, it would be great if you have a player come up and play that well,” Posey said. “I think anybody would take that performance regardless of the draft pick.”
Translation: If Eldridge earns a spot, it’ll be because he’s ready - not because of a potential bonus pick.
“Sitting here today looking at Bryce, I don’t think any of us are going to feel like we’ve forced something on him too soon,” Posey added. “That’s not to say that come March 25 he’s not there and on the roster, but I don’t think we’re going to force him into action if we feel like it’s not right for him just for the chance to grab a draft pick.”
What Comes Next
The Giants have time - and they’re going to use it. With over a month until Opening Day, Eldridge has a chance to prove he belongs. His bat, his presence, and now possibly even his defensive flexibility will all be under the microscope.
Vitello and Posey will be watching closely. And if Eldridge shows he’s ready to contribute at the big-league level, the Giants aren’t going to stand in his way. But they’re also not going to rush what they believe could be a cornerstone piece of their future.
For now, all eyes are on Scottsdale. And Bryce Eldridge is giving Giants fans plenty of reasons to dream.