Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge sent to Triple-A after strong spring

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Just last summer, Bryce Eldridge wasn’t sure where to position himself on relays from the outfield. He lacked other fundamentals that only come with experience at first base, such as tracking the batter, not the ball, when a pitch is on the way.

The Giants’ top prospect didn’t make their Opening Day roster, but the 21-year-old first baseman believes he put to rest this spring any doubts about his defensive future.

“My defense was always something that was kind of a question mark to these guys,” Eldridge told the California Post hours before he was optioned out of camp Thursday. “I think I played a damn good first. If you put me up with some of the best, I think I’m an above-average big-league first baseman.”

Whether or not Eldridge could crack the Opening Day roster was poised to be one of the most intriguing questions of Tony Vitello’s first spring training as the Giants’ manager.

Eldridge made his MLB debut last September, but he still only has 84 games above Double-A.

Despite his lack of experience, Eldridge made the decision about more than his defense.

“I think everyone was wondering about (his) position,” Vitello said. “But I think he showed real potential to not just be over at first base, but to be a quality defender at first base.”

In a twist, the prospect known for his prowess at the plate looked more uncomfortable in the batter’s box than he did on the infield dirt. The Giants would like to see Eldridge strike out less than his 38.7% rate this spring and, as Vitello said, “as big and strong as he is, just to be more dangerous at the plate.” Meaning: More consistently laying off pitches outside the zone.

“I think he showed he is a major-league player,” general manager Zack Minasian told the Post. “We’ve talked about him defensively, just getting more comfortable at first base in all facets. I think he’s done a good job there. Offensively, it’s huge, huge upside. I think him putting the ball in play consistently is a big deal.”

The assignment to Triple-A Sacramento should allow Eldridge to get everyday reps in at first base, in the batter’s box — and on the base paths, his next area of improvement. Base running mechanics are all the more important with Eldridge’s large, lanky frame, and he wasn’t on first base much this spring with six of his nine hits going for extra bases.

“It’s hard to keep your body under control when you’re this long and this big,” Eldridge said. “Learning how to run and use good mechanics isn’t something I’ve ever practiced, kind of like how I had never really practiced first before.”

In that case, the Giants should feel good about Eldridge’s ability to pick it up.

Vitello’s first interaction with Eldridge came when he was still a teenager and the Giants manager was attempting to recruit him to Tennessee. At the time, Eldridge was still splitting time between the mound and the outfield. He didn’t pick up a first baseman’s mitt until his first full professional season, in 2024, as he climbed from A-ball to Triple-A in the same year.

Eldridge initially struggled to make some routine plays. This spring, he made some that were only possible for somebody with an athletic, 6-foot-7 build and an understanding how to use it.

“There were several plays that I don’t know many other first basemen make,” Vitello said, commending the improvements in his footwork and the intent behind his work.

Eldridge has taken part in Ron Washington’s famously intense infield drills. He has been coached up by another legendary Giants first baseman in Will Clark. Last year, he struck up a close bond with J.T. Snow, a six-time Gold Glove winner at first base — four with the Giants.

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Snow visited Eldridge twice in Sacramento, where he told the Post that the young first baseman “opened up” about his defensive shortcomings and “got better” because of it.

“Everybody in the organization agreed he was better than day one,” Snow said. “That’s because we worked really hard. … We really got close in Sacramento.”

Eldridge told him he was confused about cutoffs and relays. Snow told him to read the third-base coach to see whether the runner is being waved home. Eldridge would set up before the pitch and lock in on the ball as it traveled to home plate.

“I said, no no no. We don’t do that,” Snow said. “We watch him wind up and we shift our eyes to the hitting zone. You focus on the catcher and the hitting zone. He never knew that because he signed out of high school and he’s 20 years old.”

Eldridge now has more than 200 games at first base under his belt. He added another 19 this spring. He would have had to contend with Rafael Devers for playing time at first base with the big-league club, but there should be no obstacle to him playing the field in Sacramento.

As for those little things he worked on with Snow, Eldridge said, “I definitely feel like I got all those things down.”

“Those are things that, over time, you don’t have to think about as much,” he said. “It’s just gonna take experience and reps, and I’m getting to that point where I’ve had pretty decent experience and taken a lot of reps.”

If there was any doubt about how seriously Eldridge was being considered for the Opening Day roster, look no further than his playing time: Only one player logged more plate appearances.

The Giants were determined to give him a serious look.

They saw enough to be confident that it won’t be long until they see him again.

Vitello said Eldridge took it “like a pro” when he delivered the hard news on Thursday.

“He’s gonna be with us at some point,” Vitello said. “We want him to be ready to rock and roll. I think he will be based off his work ethic and character.”