Top SF Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge to start season in Sacramento

While it seemed as if San Francisco Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge was on his way to earning a spot on the Opening Day roster, the first baseman will begin the season in the minors.

San Francisco has announced that Eldridge was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, a move that allows the 21-year-old to get everyday reps.

The Giants will play Rafael Devers as the primary first baseman to begin the regular season, with newcomer Luis Arraez also a possibility to log innings at first base on days that Devers slides over to the designated hitter spot.

Jerar Encarnacion, who is out of minor league options, is also a possibility to log innings at first base.

Along with Eldridge, San Francisco also optioned infielder Tyler Fitzgerald and outfielder Grant McCray, as both players are set to open the season with the River Cats.

The quality of contact from Bryce Eldridge last year was outrageous.

In 110 games (AA/AAA/MLB), his avg EV was 95 MPH. That was the highest among qualified MiLB hitters and only trailed Oneil Cruz and Aaron Judge in all of pro baseball. Also had a 63% Hard Hit%.

This went 470. pic.twitter.com/Hv4gz8gKDC

— Aram Leighton (@AramLeighton8) February 10, 2026

More on SF Giants 1B prospect Bryce Eldridge

Bryce Eldridge, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, burst onto the scene during a 2025 season that saw him destroy minor league pitching.

The then-20-year-old hit .260 with 25 home runs and drove in 84 RBI over three levels (Rookie, AA, and AAA), with 18 of those home runs coming with AAA Sacramento.

San Francisco called Bryce Eldridge up during the final week of the regular season to get some reps against MLB pitching, but the top prospect struggled, going just three for 28 (.107) while striking out 13 times.

Spring Training hasn’t been much better for Bryce Eldridge as the lefty-swinging slugger is batting .225 with one home run and six RBI over 40 at-bats.

Playing in Sacramento every day will provide Eldridge with the reps he needs to develop and prepare for when the Giants call on him again, and at just 21 years old, there is still plenty of time for things to pan out at the big-league level.

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Upcoming San Francisco Giants & MLB Offseason Schedule

• February-March: Spring Training
• Wednesday, March 25th – vs. New York Yankees – 5:05 PM PT (Opening Day)

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