Former SF Giants fan favorite is bullish on Bryce Eldridge's defensive ceiling

The top SF Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge debuted with the team in 2025. He showed some promise even if his offensive numbers were not great, but he also showed some promise on defense which is a key development.

Eldridge has long been touted as a huge potential addition to the lineup. His size and impressive power numbers in the minor leagues have gotten fans excited about his offensive ceiling, but there has always been a question as to how well he would adapt to playing first base.

SF Giants should be excited with Eldridge's defensive progression

Former Giants fan favorite J.T. Snow appeared on the Splash Hit Territory podcast and discussed Eldridge and his progression on defense. Snow was a six-time Gold Glove winner in his career so he knows good defense at first base when he sees it.

Snow talked about how he worked with Eldridge a little bit on his defense in spring training and in Sacramento during the minor league season. He came away impressed with how much he had improved by the end of the season.

Speaking of Eldridge's defense, Snow said, "I think he can work on it. I think he does have like a size 15 shoe or whatever. I think one of the coolest things when I worked up in spring training and then towards the end of the year, he got so much better...The play he made in LA late in the season, remember that he dove at first base, tagged and threw across. So yeah, I was in Sacramento twice last year, two visits. And he got better.”

The play Snow is talking about towards the end of the year in Los Angeles truly was impressive as Eldridge dove and caught a line drive to prevent it from going down the firs-base line and then quickly got up and fired across the diamond to third base to double up the runner at third who broke towards home plate.

Snow also spoke about how Eldridge would ask a lot of questions and would pick Snow's brain whenever the two worked together about where he should be on cut-off throws and the more nuanced aspects of playing the position. Snow did share that Eldridge is not super comfortable with the prospect of handling pop-ups at Oracle Park where the wind is notorious for swirling and making typically routine plays something of a nightmare for players, but Snow had to deal with that same thing at Candlestick Park as well where the wind element was even worse.

The fact that Snow can attest Eldridge improved defensively is important for the 21-year-old's chances at making the Opening Day roster next year. The Giants would likely not carry him if they felt he could only serve as a designated hitter so if he continues to work on his defense then the Giants may be more comfortable having him break camp with the team.

Of course, the Giants may decide Eldridge still needs a bit more seasoning so they may bring back Dominic Smith or maybe bring in a stopgap option who can play first base or serve as DH. The Giants already have Rafael Devers who can play first base and he is obviously going to be in the lineup every day.

Still, Snow's endorsement is a positive sign and bodes well for Eldridge as he will certainly be trying to break camp with the team next season.