Giants send Bryce Eldridge down amid woeful offensive spring showing

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San Francisco Giants' Bryce Eldridge smiles as he celebrates his run scored against the Cincinnati Reds during the second inning of a spring training baseball game Friday, March 6, 2026, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) (Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press)


SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - As the spring wore on, it became ever more evident that Bryce Eldridge would have a tough time making the Opening Night roster, especially after a three-strikeout day Monday.

Thursday evening, the San Francisco Giants optioned their top prospect to minor-league camp along with infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and outfielder Grant McCray.

There's little doubt that Eldridge will be called up at some point soon, but the Giants probably would prefer him to be red-hot when they do. The 21-year-old was hitting .225 with one homer and 19 strikeouts in 40 at-bats this spring and is still learning to play first base.

"He controls the strike zone, has power to all directions, but I think he needs to get out of his own way - that will unlock the player that he can be," said one NL scout who's seen most of Eldridge's games this spring. "He has a chance to have a combination of average and power with highish OBP, but he has to clear his mind. First base will always be a challenge for him. He should DH and play left field."

The decision opens up some interesting roster possibilities. San Francisco can opt to hang onto slugging first baseman-outfielder Jerar Encarnacion and outfielder Luis Matos, both of whom are out of options. Or they could opt for speedy Jared Oliva, who leads the Cactus League in steals, or hot-hitting Victor Bericoto.

One thing that is clear: the Giants will be right-handed heavy. Only Rafael Devers, Jung-Hoo Lee and Luis Arráez are left-handed hitters with guaranteed roster spots, and catcher Patrick Bailey is a switch hitter. Outfield hopefuls Drew Gilbert and Will Brennan, who has been solid all spring, are the left-handed possibilities for the bench, but there's a chance the team will be lefty-free among their subs.

Fitzgerald, once viewed as the Giants' potential everyday second baseman, has yet to return to the promise he showed in .224; he hit .189 with one homer and 14 strikeouts this spring. McCray was batting .267 with a homer.

This article originally published at Giants send Bryce Eldridge down amid woeful offensive spring showing.

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