Top SF Giants prospect recognized as organizational Hitting Prospect of the Year for second straight year

On Wednesday, MLB Pipeline handed out its Hitting and Pitching Prospects of the Year for each organization. For the SF Giants, there were no surprises as Bryce Eldridge and Jacob Bresnahan were recognized as the top hitting and pitching prospects, respectively, in the organization.

Top SF Giants prospect recognized as organizational Hitting Prospect of the Year for second straight year

This is the second straight year he has been recognized in this way. Of course, this is the first time Bresnahan has been recognized for this as a Giants prospect. This was also his first full season in the organization.

Eldridge missed the first month of the season due to a wrist ailment. He is now set to undergo wrist surgery. The expected recovery timeline is eight weeks, so he would be on schedule to be ready before next spring.

The wrist injury did not slow the power-hitting prospect. He began the year with the Richmond Flying Squirrels before earning a promotion to the Sacramento River Cats after just 34 games.

With Sacramento, Eldridge hit .249/.322/.514 (106 wRC+) with 18 home runs, 63 RBI, and 31 runs in 286 plate appearances. This did include a relatively high strikeout rate at 30.8 percent. That said, he did flash the type of raw power that has ranked him as one of the top prospects in baseball.

The Giants remained adamant that Eldridge would remain in Triple-A to finish the year. However, a Dominic Smith injury paved the way to an opportunity. Eldridge recorded only three hits in 28 at-bats with the Giants. He also struck out 13 times, but made extremely hard contact when he connected.

On the other hand, lefty pitching prospect Jacob Bresnahan just concluded a season that resulted in a California League title for the San Jose Giants. He was originally acquired in 2024 in a trade that sent Alex Cobb to the Cleveland Guardians.

Bresnahan finished last year with San Jose, but struggled to a 10.98 ERA through seven outings. He thrived in his second stint with San Jose. 

The southpaw pitcher anchored a pitching staff that comfortably led the California League with a 3.50 ERA. San Jose excelled on both sides of the ball, as they posted an 81-51 record.

The 20-year-old pitcher recorded a 2.61 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 12.0 K/9, and 2.88 SO/W rate across 93 innings this year. California League hitters tallied just a .570 OPS against him this season.

Bresnahan also got better as the season progressed. In his final 19 starts, he pitched to a 2.00 ERA. He was recently recognized by MLB Pipeline as the California League Pitcher of the Year.