VIENNA, VA – JULY 9: Madison High baseball star Bryce Eldridge, surrounded by family and friends, reacts after being selected 16th overall by the San Francisco Giants in the MLB draft on Sunday, July 9, 2023. (Julia Nikhinson/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
The Washington Post via Getty Images
The San Francisco Giants are hoping rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge is the next Brandon Belt.
The left-handed hitting Eldridge, who won’t turn 21 until October 20, made his major league debut September 15, 2025, against the Arizona Cardinals.
A first baseman by experience, Eldridge is being used as the Giants designated hitter, with Rafael Devers the Giants primary first baseman.
The Giants have also used Wilmer Flores at first base, mostly against left-handed pitchers.
Marty Lurie is a valued pre-game, and post-game Giants information host on the Giants KNBR radio home.
Mr. Lurie has tremendous respect in the MLB community in general, and the Giants nation in particular.
I sat next to Mr. Lurie when we both watched Eldridge hit against the Diamondbacks.
“He could be the next Brandon Belt,” Lurie said with conviction. “He uses the entire field, and just like Belt, he is a very hard worker.”
That’s high praise.
RICHMOND, VA – MAY 16: Bryce Eldridge #19 of the Richmond Flying Squirrels high fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the game between the Erie SeaWolves and the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond on Friday, May 16, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia. (Photo by Matthew Mitrani/Minor League Baseball via Getty Images)
Minor League Baseball via Getty
Any story about Bryce Eldridge begins with his physicality. Eldridge is 6-7, 240 pounds. He looks tall and thin at the plate, but the strength is very obvious.
In one at-bat, Eldridge blasted a ball to the deepest part of center field at Chase Field in Phoenix. The ball was caught at the base of the wall.
That at-bat showed that, indeed, Eldridge is clearly not just a big, pull hitter.
Eldridge was a 1st round pick of the Giants in 2023, out of James Madison High School, in Vienna, Virginia.
Eldridge received a $3,997,500 signing bonus from San Francisco, as the No. 16 player selected in the draft.
Eldridge was a two-way player in high school. An ankle injury impacted his ability to pitch in his senior year.
Eldridge threw his fastball at 96-miles per hour in high school.
Eldridge was listed as an outfielder/pitcher at the draft.
Eldridge hit eight home runs in the USA Baseball’s 18U national team.
His USA Baseball performance convinced scouts Eldridge was best used as a dangerous hitter from the left side of the plate.
Coincidentally, Brandon Belt was also a pitcher in high school, at Hudson High School, in Lufkin, Texas.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 15: Bryce Eldridge #78 of the San Francisco Giants prepares for a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 15, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Now, a little bit more than two years after being chosen by the Giants, Eldridge is wearing a major league uniform.
That in itself speaks volumes about the abilities and tools Eldridge brings to San Francisco.
This old scout did get to observe Eldridge in the 2024 Arizona Fall League, when he played for the Scottsdale Scorpions.
Eldridge played 10 games for Scottsdale, hitting .293/.348/.512/.860, with three doubles and two home runs.
For now, Eldridge is a man without a consistent defensive position.
That should not deter manager Bob Melvin from using Eldridge as a designated hitter, or as a first baseman against right-handed pitchers.
Eldridge has outstanding power. His power is by far his best tool.
Baseball America believes Eldridge is the best power hitter in the Giants organization.
Both Baseball America and MLB.com ranked Eldridge the No. 1 Giants prospect.
It will not be exaggerating to say that Eldridge can hit 30 home runs in a full major league season that includes at least 500 at-bats.
While Oracle Park in San Francisco is a difficult place to hit, Eldridge has enough strength and loft on the ball to take a pitch out of any park. His exit velocity has always been outstanding, as he finds the barrel and hits the ball hard. And deep.
Eldridge also has plus arm strength, and the Giants may want to see what he can do in the outfield, where he gained experience in both Rookie League and Class-A baseball.
For now, however, Eldridge has a place at first base and at designated hitter.
While this scout feels Eldridge can hit for a fine batting average, with a good on-base percentage, he will have to learn to avoid pitches up above his uniform letters.
Eldridge has a tendency to swing through high fastballs, and sharp breaking sliders.
Plate discipline and selectivity will come in time.
At this early stage of his big league career, strikeouts can be expected.
Defensively, Eldridge is average at first base.
A slow runner, Eldridge will have enough speed to get his share of gap doubles. He is not a threat to steal bases.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – SEPTEMBER 17: Bryce Eldridge #78 of the San Francisco Giants looks on from the dugout against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on September 17, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Getty Images
This old scout believes Bryce Eldridge has enough game-changing power to be considered for All Star games in his future.
Still very young and raw, Eldridge is a big, strong, wiry, talented hitter. A “slugger in waiting” if you will.
It will be his raw power, his hard contact, and his ability to end a game with one swing of the bat that will have Giants fans comparing him to Brandon Belt.
And that isn’t too shabby.
Disclaimer: This news has been automatically collected from the source link above. Our website does not create, edit, or publish the content. All information, statements, and opinions expressed belong solely to the original publisher. We are not responsible or liable for the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any news, nor for any statements, views, or claims made in the content. All rights remain with the respective source.