Two SF Giants top prospects no longer pursuing two-way development
The SF Giants sparked plenty of fan excitement about a potential homegrown two-way player over the past two years by selecting a pair of two-way prospects in the first round of the 2022 and 2023 MLB Drafts. However, while Reggie Crawford and Bryce Eldridge both have impressive two-way potential, the organization has decided that neither player will be following a two-way development track in 2024. Crawford will be putting down his bat to solely focus on pitching, as first reported by NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic, while general manager Pete Putila informed reporters that Eldridge is leaving the mound behind and will be developed as a first baseman.
He wSF Giants prospect Reggie Crawford pitches for the San Jose Giants. (2023)
Shelly Valenzuela
Neither move is especially surprising. Crawford was always considered a far more developed prospect as a pitcher. While he had impressive power potential at the plate, he also had high strikeout rates even as an amateur and scouts were skeptical that his bat would be able to keep up with his arm. As he worked his way back onto the mound last season, after undergoing UCL surgery late in 2021, that's exactly how things played out.
Crawford was excellent in his limited opportunities on the mound in 2023. He recorded a 2.84 ERA across Single-A and High-A with 32 strikeouts and 10 walks across 19 innings pitched (13 appearances). In just 19 plate appearances, he posted a .235/.263/.529 triple-slash that was propped up by a home run.
Following the season, perhaps as a final shot for Crawford's bat, the Giants sent him to the Arizona Fall League to solely participate as a hitter. He was extremely over matched in 17 games, striking out in 30 of his 71 plate appearances and only managing a meager .558 OPS.
Already 23, and another year removed from UCL surgery, Crawford is in position to move much quicker as a pitching prospect. Given how far his bat had to go, the Giants player development team likely decided it was best to move on from any two-way dreams. It's worth noting that Crawford has struggled to stay healthy since turning pro as well, he was already sidelined with a lat injury early in spring training, perhaps giving them even more reason to lessen his workload.
It is a bit more surprising to see Eldridge give up pitching before he ever received an opportunity to do it as a professional. However, the Giants 2023 first-round pick may have simply been a victim of his own success. Drafted out of high school, Eldridge did not miss a beat at the Arizona Complex League after he signed. The towering left-handed hitter crushed Rookie Ball and received a late-season promotion to Single-A San Jose, where he continued to hold his own.
After Eldridge hit .294/.400/.505 in 130 plate appearances during his first pro stint, the Giants likely see a potential fast track to the majors for Eldridge. Some players are just that good. While his potential as a pitcher was undeniably enticing, the organization has seemingly decided it's not worth the risk of messing with his offensive development.
The SF Giants may not be developing a two-way phenom anymore, but Reggie Crawford and Bryce Eldridge remain two of the most exciting prospects in the organization. Even if they are a little less exceptional now.
