Top SF Giants power-hitting prospect models his swing after two-time NL MVP

Top SF Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge showed off plenty of power in his first full season as a pro in 2024. He has a powerful and quick swing for someone with a 6-foot-7 frame and he says he modeled his swing after two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper.

Top SF Giants power-hitting prospect models his swing after two-time NL MVP

Before we dive into Eldridge's swing, he did shed some light on why he ditched being a two-way player so early in his career.

When the Giants selected him in the first round of the 2023 draft out of James Madison High School, he was drafted as a two-way player. He not only showed impressive power in the batter's box but flashed a mid-90's fastball on the mound with a four-pitch mix.

Eldridge never even pursued pitching as a pro. In his draft year, he saw plenty of time in the field but never on the mound. It turns out that Eldridge scrapped pitching because he wants to reach the majors as fast as possible and he felt that hitting would be the quickest avenue to reach that goal.

Anyways, the lefty bat told the Murph and Markus show on KNBR how and why he modeled his swing after Bryce Harper:

"I [Eldridge] kind of modeled my swing after Bryce Harper. I grew up in the DC area, so watching him play growing up, and obviously, sharing the same name with him and I kind of idolized him and I think you can see that in my swing. I used to mimic the stance, the swing, it's changed a little to make my own swing. "

Bryce Eldridge

Hearing a young player say he grew up watching Harper play really makes me feel old! It was not that long ago when Harper debuted with the Washington Nationals. At least, it does not feel that way. I suppose that is how time works.

Interestingly, Eldridge's swing has always reminded me of Cody Bellinger. Others have noted the Matt Olson comparison as well. You can see some of Harper's swing in Eldridge in terms of the sheer violence of it. It takes a strong person to swing the bat that hard.

It is certainly unfair to put any Harper-like expectations on Eldridge as Harper is well on his way to making the Hall of Fame when it is all said and done.

Eldridge flashed the type of power that few prospects have in recent years, especially at his age. The 20-year-old prospect slashed .292/.374/.516 with 23 home runs, 76 runs, and 92 RBI in 519 plate appearances split across four levels. Eldridge did appear briefly in the Arizona Fall League as well. The Giants are hopeful that Eldridge could debut as soon as this year but performance will dictate the timing.