Bryce Eldridge, a 20-year-old 2023 first-round pick and one of baseball's top prospects, is expected to remain in Triple-A rather than debut in the majors this season. He has produced a .241/.311/.513 line with 15 homers in 219 Triple-A plate appearances after a hot Double-A showing, but he has cooled to .203/.280/.419 over the past three weeks and carries a 32% strikeout rate at Triple-A. The Giants have been transitioning Rafael Devers to first base and are not currently contending, reducing urgency to promote Eldridge. Delaying promotion preserves a 40-man roster spot and limits Rule 5 exposure until 2027.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote earlier in the week that it's "more likely" the 20-year-old will finish out the season in Triple-A and hope for his first call to the majors in 2026. President of baseball operations Buster Posey removed further doubt the following day when telling John Shea of the San Francisco Standard that his team would "most likely not" promote Eldridge for his big league debut before season's end.
That may be disappointing for San Francisco fans who've been hoping that an Eldridge promotion would give them extra incentive to stay tuned in to a season that has largely slipped away. There are justifiable reasons to hold off, however. The Giants have been breaking June acquisition Rafael Devers in at first base, and Eldridge has been slumping recently in Sacramento.
Eldridge, a 2023 first-rounder, is widely regarded as one of the sport's top 25 or so prospects. He hit .280/.350/.512 with seven homers in 140 Double-A plate appearances but has cooled after a hot start in Triple-A. He's still slashing a respectable .241/.311/.513 with 15 homers in 219 plate appearances since moving to the top minor league level, but Eldridge is hitting .203/.280/.419 over the past three weeks. He's also struck out in 32% of his Triple-A plate appearances.
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