Bryce Eldridge gets last laugh on SF Giants after being optioned to minors

The SF Giants decided to option top prospect Bryce Eldridge to Triple-A recently so he could get more reps in the minors. It was a decision that made sense for a lot of reasons, but Eldridge did end up getting the last laugh by hitting a home run against the Giants in Sunday night's exhibition contest between the Giants and the Sacramento River Cats.

It was an impressive swing of the bat as he took Giants starter Tyler Mahle deep on a booming opposite-field home run. He also hit a double off Keaton Winn later in the game. That homer ended up being the difference as the River Cats beat the Giants 2-1.

It's obviously too little, too late to make the team, but maybe there was a little extra motivation for Eldridge in that game as if to say, 'I'm not going to be in the minors for long.'

Eldridge makes a statement in exhibition game between River Cats and Giants

There was a lot of chatter coming into spring training about whether Eldridge should make the team or not. He had a brief stint in the majors last September and did not do all that much and he really did not do enough in the Cactus League this year to warrant making the team. He was impressive at times, but overall he slashed .225/.380/.450 with one home run, four doubles, and a triple, striking out 19 times in 40 at-bats.

Part of his struggles may have had to do with recovery from offseason wrist surgery, but it seems like he still just needs to work on things more without having the pressure of being the designated hitter for the Giants.

The Giants still have to be thinking Eldridge will be called up at some point this season. When he does get called up is anyone's guess, but promoting him when he gets hot in the minors rather than after an inconsistent spring will give him more confidence.

Rafael Devers will likely be the starting first baseman to begin the season and both Jerar Encarnacion and Luis Matos hit well enough in Arizona to get some time as the team's designated hitter.

Encarnacion and Matos do not have any minor league options so expect the Giants to be patient with both players because the Giants would have to place them on waivers to remove them from the big league roster which could lead to them being claimed by another team.

But if there is an injury or if Eldridge keeps hitting bombs like the one he smacked on Sunday night, he should be back with the Giants sooner rather than later.