SF Giants sign top two picks in 2023 draft for $7 million
The SF Giants signed first-round pick 1B/RHP Bryce Eldridge with a $4 million signing bonus and second-round pick shortstop Walker Martin with a $3 million signing bonus on Monday, according to reports by Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. $2,500 of their bonuses are classified as a contingency bonus, which does not count against the Giants' draft pool. Eldridge's deal comes in just under the $4.3266 million slot for the 16th overall selection, which helped the team go more than $1 million over slot to sign Martin. The Giants will be using savings from other under-slot deals to avoid facing harsh penalties for going over slot by signing Martin.
Eldridge was considered the best two-way prospect in the 2023 MLB Draft class after starring at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. Eldridge is an impressive athlete, especially for someone his size (he is 6'7''), showing off high-end upside at the plate and on the mound.
As a pitcher, Eldridge has flashed a mid-90s sinker that has reached 96 mph alongside a good feel for a slider and changeup. His command may not be elite, but he has consistently thrown strikes, which is usually par for the course for high school pitching prospects.
Most scouts are even higher on Eldridge's potential offensively, though. He has at least plus-plus power potential that he has tapped into consistently with an exciting left-handed swing. The only non-standout tool in Eldridge's game is his speed, which limits his defensive upside. However, given his upside at the plate, his projection as an above-average defensive first baseman should not be a cause for concern.
Eldridge would have likely been selected in the first two rounds of the draft if he were solely a hitter or pitcher, but committed to the University of Alabama, he made it clear to teams that he wanted an opportunity to play both ways as a professional. The Giants were willing to give him that opportunity.
A standout in last year's Area Code Games, Martin posted video game numbers this year as he led all the high schoolers in the entire nation with 20 home runs with a mind-boggling .633 average and a 28.7% walk rate. Even though he's shown plenty of power this year, Martin's also known for his bat-to-ball ability and his sweet lefty swing that grades out as average or better. With a projectable frame that could potentially give him above-average raw power, Martin has a well-rounded skill set at the batter's box.
By signing Walker Martin so early, the SF Giants are clearly confident that they will not have any hiccups in signing their other picks. Now both Martin and Bryce Eldridge will likely prepare to make their professional debuts in the Arizona Complex League.
