PHOENIX — Bryce Eldridge was working through security on Sunday night at the Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City when his phone, residing in a security tray, lit up. Thomas Gavello, Eldridge’s teammate with Triple-A Sacramento, recommended he take the call.
On the other line was Sacramento’s manager Dave Brundage. Eldridge was aware that Dominic Smith, the Giants’ best defensive first baseman, recently sustained an injury that will likely end his regular season. Still, Eldridge wanted to keep his focus on the River Cats.
As Eldridge awkwardly stood in the middle of the security line, Brundage reminded Eldridge that he’ll be heading to Papago Park after the season to work on his defense. Eldridge picked up that Brundage was stalling before delivering the real news — the news that Eldridge was going to the majors.
“It wasn’t really in my head all,” Eldridge said. “Then I got the call while I was in security. I saw my phone and kind of figured that was what was going on with the timing and everything.”
“He’s here to help us win games,” said president of baseball operations Buster Posey. “With Dom going down and missing that lefty bat, we felt like it fit nicely with our lineup. … He’s had a nice stretch where he’s been productive and we hope he continues it here.”
The last 24 hours have been quite hectic for the Giants’ top prospect, who showed up at the ballpark without any of his usual gear due to the last-minute travel arrangements. Eldridge did have the benefit of his car being parked at the nearby Papago Park, which contains bats, cleats and batting gloves. Eldridge’s mother, Beth Kenney, missed her son’s first two calls, and Eldridge quipped that he can’t remember the last time she missed a call.
“We’re going to use those for tonight and make do with what we got,” Eldridge said.
Eldridge, 20, joins the Giants at a crucial juncture in their season. With 13 games remaining, San Francisco is 1.5 games back of the New York Mets for the third and final NL wild card spot. Should the Giants make the playoffs, Eldridge will be eligible for the postseason roster.
It’s not exactly a soft landing for the 20-year-old, but the Giants believe Eldridge is equipped for the challenge.
“I think he has the type of personality where he’ll probably embrace this environment,” Posey said. “He’s not going to be a guy that’s going to shy away from having some really big at-bats for us.”
“From the first time I met him, he didn’t really seem like anything overwhelmed him too much,” said manager Bob Melvin. “We saw that in spring training as well. … There’s a calmness about him, there’s a confidence about him. I think all that plays into evaluating whether or not we wanted to get him here.”
The Giants won’t put too much on the rookie’s plate, limiting the scope of Eldridge’s responsibilities to being the designated hitter against right-handed pitching. During its three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco will face right-handers Zac Gallen on Monday and Brandon Pfaadt on Wednesday.
Eldridge, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, certainly has the potential to impact the Giants’ offense. Over 102 games with Sacramento and Double-A Richmond, Eldridge posted a slash line of .260/.333/.510 with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs despite missing time due to wrist and hamstring injuries. There is a fair amount of whiff in Eldridge’s game — Eldridge has struck out in about 30 percent of his plate appearances this season — but Posey pointed to the rookie’s elite quality of contact.
“I think he’s got the highest hard-hit rate in all of Minor League Baseball or Triple-A,” Posey said. “There’s probably going to be some swing-and-miss, but he’s also going make some really loud contact.”
“All the reports are that he’s swinging the bat really well right now, and we’re looking to increase some production,” Melvin said.
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For the time being, the Giants will likely avoid playing Eldridge at first base as he continues learning the minutiae of the position. Rafael Devers, who is also new to first, isn’t the same quality of defender as Smith, but he’s held his own overall despite some growing pains.
“I think I could go out and play an above-average first base in the big leagues. That’s how I eel,” Eldridge said. “I think a lot of people downplay, maybe not the work I’ve done on defense but how well I think I’ve done on defense. I think I’ve had a great year over there. I’ve just been working my tail off to get better every day. I think any of the coaches who I’ve been with this year would tell you that I played a good first base over there.”
Added Posey: “He’s continuing to get better. Look, you’re never a finished product, no matter if you win multiple Gold Gloves or you’re still working to get better. I think that’s the same for him: just continue to keep working.”
