Bryce Eldridge has turned a tough decision into a much easier one for SF Giants

Earlier in spring training, SF Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge was giving the team a tough decision on whether to include him on the Opening Day roster or not. Recently, his struggles at the plate have turned that decision into a much easier one.

In 40 at-bats, Eldridge is slashing .225/.380/.450 with one home run, four doubles, and one triple. He's been very impressive at times, but he has also struck out 19 times. Some have been adamant that Eldridge should begin the season with the Giants, but it really feels like he should begin the year in Triple-A.

Bryce Eldridge has just shown that he needs to develop more in the minors

Recently, he has looked a little more overmatched at the plate. The strikeout numbers are alarming so it definitely seems like it would be a smart move to let him go to Sacramento and get hot there before calling him up.

What makes the decision even easier is the fact that Jerar Encarnacion, arguably Eldridge's biggest competition for a roster spot, has been on an absolute tear as of late. He is also out of minor league options so the Giants will not have to put him on waivers if they put him on the Opening Day roster.

It would have been a much tougher call if Eldridge and Encarnacion were both hitting well. Obviously Eldridge has an incredibly high ceiling but he is just 21 years old so there is really no need for the Giants to rush him.

President of baseball operations Buster Posey knows better than anyone that a rookie can be called up after a brief call-up in September the year before and completely change a team's fortune. That's the exact path Posey took in 2010 as he helped the Giants win their first World Series since moving to San Francisco.

For comparison, Posey slashed .315/.351/.444 with one home run and nine runs batted in back in spring training ahead of the 2010 season and he still started off in the minors.

The Giants can start the year with Rafael Devers as the starting first baseman and Encarnacion can be used as a designated hitter, first baseman, or corner outfielder.

Eldridge is still right there to be called up if there's an injury or he can force his way up if he gets hot, but it seems like an obvious decision to start him in Sacramento to begin the season.