SF Giants reportedly promote top power-hitting prospect to Triple-A after brief stint in Double-A

Bryce Eldridge is reportedly moving upward yet again. According to Kiley McDaniel of ESPN, the top SF Giants power-hitting prospect is being promoted to Triple-A after a very brief stint in Double-A.

SF Giants reportedly promote top power-hitting prospect to Triple-A after brief stint in Double-A

The Giants originally drafted the left-handed bat in the first round of last year's draft out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. Incredibly, he was facing off against high school competition just 15 months ago. Now, he is one step away from playing for the Giants.

Eldridge tore through the minors at a pace that is just uncommon for players his age. When he does take an at-bat for the Sacramento River Cats, he will be just the fourth player in his age-19 season to tally a plate appearance in Triple-A this year. The other three include Samuel Basallo, Eduardo Guerrero, and Fernando Peguero. None of the three has played extensively at that level yet.

The Giants' top prospect began the year with the San Jose Giants. That was the same level he finished the 2023 season, so there was already a sense of familiarity with the California League. He posted an .801 OPS with 10 home runs and 45 RBI in 229 plate appearances before earning a promotion to the Eugene Emeralds.

Perhaps, the warm weather helped Eldridge turn it up a notch, but he was even better in the Northwest League. The left-handed hitter slashed .335/.442/.618 (187 wRC+) with 12 home runs, 41 RBI, and 35 runs in 215 plate appearances. He was near the top in every rate stat despite being one of the younger players in that league.

The Giants moved the 19-year-old prospect up once again, promoting him to Double-A. The Eastern League can be a tough environment on hitters due to the advanced pitching, large ballparks, and often wet conditions. The Giants have often moved their top prospects through Double-A pretty quickly and were even more aggressive with Eldridge. He recorded 10 hits, including one home run, and four RBI in only 37 at-bats before moving up to Triple-A.

Eldridge will join a River Cats team that has a 76-65 record. This will give him some at-bats against some of the better pitching in the minors and should be a springboard to an invite to spring training next year.