The 2024 season is officially over for a top SF Giants power-hitting prospect. Bryce Eldridge has been removed from the Scottsdale Scorpions roster according to Baseball America. Jesse Borek of MLB Pipeline confirms that the Giants are satisfied with his progress, indicating that the decision is not injury-related.
Eldridge last appeared on Wednesday for the Scorpions where he collected two hits, including a double, in four at-bats.
Plus, there is a heat wave in Arizona at the moment. October can typically be a warm month but the prospects are playing in the sun where it is 95 degrees around gametime. It is even warm for fans who are sitting in the shade with misters running for the entire game.
Overall, the left-handed bat .293/.348/.512 with two home runs, six RBI, and seven runs in 46 plate appearances while being one of the younger players in the league. He collected 519 plate appearances during the regular season, so he has handled a pretty heavy workload in his first full pro season.
Eldridge has surpassed all expectations this season as he has risen up the prospect rankings and put himself in a position to be called up as soon as next season. Across four levels, the lefty bat registered a .292/.374./.516 line with 23 home runs, 92 RBI, and 76 runs during the regular season. This includes an 11.4 percent walk rate, 25.4 percent strikeout rate, and .224 ISO.
The 20-year-old first baseman appeared in 48 games for the Eugene Emeralds where he posted a 1.060 OPS with 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 215 plate appearances. Despite his brief time with the club, he quickly emerged as the best hitter in the Northwest League.
Eldridge would go on to receive two more promotions before the year finished. He moved from High-A to Double-A at the start of September and finished the year in Triple-A after a brief stint with the Richmond Fly Squirrels.
The power-hitting prospect will likely receive a camp invite in 2025. At that point, there will be a chance for him to make the club out of spring training. Though, the more likely outcome will be debuting at some point next summer if he continues to perform.