MLB Draft: SF Giants select 1B/RHP Bryce Eldridge with 16th overall pick
The SF Giants selected 1B/RHP Bryce Eldridge with the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. Eldridge was considered the best two-way prospect in this year's class marking the second consecutive year the Giants had selected the best two-way prospect after drafting Reggie Crawford last year.
With a towering 6'7'' frame, Eldridge has a unique combination of strength and athleticism. On the mound, he has showcased a sinker that has reached the mid-90s with a good feel for a slider and changeup, alongside a fairly consistent ability to throw strikes.
At the plate, Eldridge has massive power potential and has flashed defensive viability at first base. If he were solely a pitcher or hitter, Eldridge would have still remained a top-two-round prospect by most evaluators.
It's unclear whether the Giants will be able to create any slot savings with Eldridge, who is committed to Alabama. He generally ranked around 15-20 by most public-facing big boards. However, the Giants have prioritized early-round savings in the past. The slot for the pick is valued at $4.3266 million, although slots dip below $3.5 million by the 22nd overall pick. So, it's possible that Eldridge agreed to take a signing bonus in tye $3.5-$4 million range.
The SF Giants have two more selections on Day 1 of the MLB Draft, and will look to add even more talent after selecting Bryce Eldridge.
