Report: SF Giants top pick 'wowed scouts' in Arizona Complex League

One of the SF Giants newest prospects, 2023 first-round pick Bryce Eldridge, apparently impressed scouts during his professional debut.

The SF Giants drafted a two-way player with their first-round pick for the second-consecutive year this summer when they selected Virginia prep star Bryce Eldridge with the 16th overall selection. While Eldridge was not considered a top-10 prospect in the draft class prior to turning pro, he has quickly improved his stock. In Baseball America's ranking of the top-20 prospects in the Arizona Complex League by Josh Norris, Eldridge was ranked the second-best prospect in the league.

Bryce Eldridge pitches in a high school All-Star game at Chase Field. (2022) / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

"Eldridge is the inverse of their 2022 choice, Reggie Crawford, and looks likely to stick in the batter’s box," Norris wrote. "Eldridge wowed scouts in his brief time in the ACL, showing controlled at-bats, a short swing that produces huge power without selling out. Eldridge played right field in the ACL but likely profiles at first base, where his light-tower power would make the transition fairly seamless and his hulking frame would make for a large target for his fellow infielders."

Eldridge had several big highlights during his stint at the Arizona Complex League. He hit .294/.393/.647 with three doubles, five home runs, nine walks, and 16 strikeouts in 61 plate appearances. While he did strike out at a fairly high rate (26.2%), it was an undeniably impressive showing from an 18-year-old facing professional competition for the first time. His showing was good enough to receive a late-season promotion to Single-A San Jose.

In his first full-season action, Eldridge actually posted slightly better strikeout (25.6%) and walk rates (16.7%). Eldridge posted a solid .277/.397/.354 line in 78 plate appearances at Single-A before the Giants' affiliate was eliminated from the California League playoffs. However, his power production did take a significant dip, managing just two doubles and a home run. Eldridge was incredibly young for that level, though, and was able to put up an above-average triple-slash.

Defensively, Eldridge played right field for the first time in his career as a professional. He recorded one assist across 26 games but did commit two errors. It was a solid showing for his first experience at the position, but Eldridge will need to make some progress with his reads and routes to stick in the outfield.

As Norris noted, most evaluators believe the 6'7'' Eldridge has a brighter future as a hitter than a pitcher. Still, professional coaches and scouts have not yet got to see his pitching in action. Eldridge shut down his arm following the high school season this spring and will not pitch in a professional game until next year. In high school, Eldridge flashed a good feel for a three-pitch mix that included a fastball that could reach the mid-90s.

The SF Giants obviously had high expectations for Bryce Eldridge when they drafted him with the 16th overall pick. The towering two-way player sure got his professional career off to a good start this season and "wowed scouts" at the Arizona Complex League. After putting in an offseason of work this winter, Eldridge will look to continue impressing on lookers next season when he gets to show off his two-way skillset for the first time as a pro.