SAN JOSE, Calif. — Bryce Eldridge debuted a new number at the Giants’ FanFest Tour stop at San Pedro Square Market on Saturday.
The rookie first baseman was drafted No. 78 when he debuted in the Major Leagues last September, but managed to work his way down to single digits during the offseason, adopting the No. 8 as a tribute to hockey star Alexander Ovechkin.
Eldridge hopes the number swap will be the last trade he’s involved in this offseason, though he knows he’s been the subject of some recent trade rumors.
With Eldridge and fellow power hitter Rafael Devers now in the same defensive position, there was speculation the Giants could trade the 21-year-old Eldridge — their No. 1 prospect and No. 12 overall, according to MLB Pipeline — to fill other holes on the roster.
Eldridge has heard the talk, but said he’s trying to shut out the noise and focus on preparing for his first full season with the Blacks.
“Definitely a first,” Eldridge said Saturday. “I try not to focus too much on anything that’s going on. I think when you get to a point in the offseason, people need things to talk about, even if they know what’s true and what’s not. I don’t know how far those conversations have gone. But I want to be here. I want to play for this team. I don’t plan on leaving here anytime soon. I hope I’m not here soon.
Eldridge spent the first half of his season rehabbing from left wrist surgery, but said he’s in the final stages of his hitting streak and is “full right now.” The 6-foot-7 slugger injured his wrist last spring and received a cortisone shot to relieve the pain, but continued to play comfortably during the regular season. He decided to go under the knife to remove a bone from his troublesome wrist in October, which he hopes will leave him free of complications as 2026 approaches.
“I failed,” Eldridge said. “Some days were better than others. It was a real challenge mentally, too, just knowing I had to go out there and I didn’t feel 100 percent most of the year. But it just gave me confidence, knowing what I could do without feeling good, especially with an upper body injury. You need that to turn the bat.”
Eldridge hit .260 with an .843 OPS and 25 home runs over 102 games in the minors before being extended 10 games with the Giants last year. San Francisco hasn’t committed to carrying him on its Opening Day roster, but Eldridge said his goal is to prove he’s worthy of being a member of the 26-man roster coming out of camp.
“I want to make an impact and start the year with the team,” Eldridge said. “Whatever role they want me to be in, combining time with Devers — I think he and I can be a very dangerous duo in the middle of the lineup for a long time. What’s expected of me is to find a spot, stay out there and continue to make an impact on the team. Continue to drive in runs, make plays in the outfield and continue to hit the ball.”
Eldridge is already familiar with new Giants manager Tony Vitello, having known the former University of Tennessee coach when he was recruited from James Madison High School in Vienna, Va., a few years ago.
Eldridge turned down Vitello in favor of Alabama, though he ended up snubbing his college commitment when he was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft (16th overall). Now that Vitello has made the unprecedented leap from the college ranks to the Majors, the two will have a chance to meet and interact in San Francisco.
“I think we’re going to be a very good team,” Eldridge said. “I’m excited. I’m a college kid, and everybody I know who played at Tennessee had a great relationship with him. I, personally, am excited to play for him.”
