Latest SF Giants injury likely paved the way for Bryce Eldridge promotion

For much of the season, the SF Giants have poured cold water on the idea of promotion Bryce Eldridge this season. That may have changed this weekend, with the injury to Dominic Smith likely paving the way for Eldridge to debut in 2025.

Latest SF Giants injured likely paved the way for Bryce Eldridge promotion

Smith had been a pleasant surprise for the Giants. He was added to the roster at the beginning of June and took over for the struggling LaMonte Wade Jr. While Smith had put up a respectable .720 OPS in his career, that represented a huge improvement over what the Giants got at first base earlier in the year.

The left-handed bat slashed .284/.333/.417 (111 wRC+) with five home runs, 33 RBI, and 26 runs in 225 plate appearances. This includes a 6.7 percent walk rate, 18.7 percent strikeout rate, and .132 ISO. Smith had a knack for good at-bats, clutch hits, and solid defense at first base.

On Friday night, the nine-year veteran sustained a hamstring strain while stretching to complete the second half of a double play against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This likely paved the way for the Giants to reconsider their stance on Eldridge. The playoff hopes remain faint, but they still have a chance at reaching the postseason if a few breaks go their way.

That means that they still want to put the best lineup on the field. Even though Eldridge is still raw in a lot of ways, his power is real, and it plays to all fields.

The left-handed bat blasted 25 home runs this season split across two levels, which leads all Giants minor leaguers. With Sacramento, he was hitting .249/.322/.514 (105 wRC+) with 18 home runs, 63 RBI, and 31 runs in 286 plate appearances. This does include a 30.8 percent strikeout rate. Eldridge's in-zone contact rate is low at 82.4 percent, but not so much so that it is a red flag. A lot of his swinging strikes come on pitches out of the zone.

Presumably, the Giants are adding Eldridge to play on an everyday basis. Whether that is at first base or DH remains to be seen, but his presence likely cuts into Wilmer Flores' playing time.

More from Around the Foghorn: