The San Francisco Giants are right in the middle of a playoff chase, but things got pretty complicated for them. Dominic Smith is expected to miss the rest of the season because of his hamstring strain. Hence, now the team needs someone to man the first base—and this is where Bryce Eldridge enters the picture. The 20-year-old is ranked as the Giants’ No. 1 prospect by MLB Pipeline, and he is expected to make his debut soon.

Now, Eldridge is not just another call-up; he is a power-hitting talent, and he can change the course of the game. He stands at 6 feet 7 and has a great physical presence, and his bat has been making all the noise throughout the minors. But who is he beyond that? Learn about his contract, his stats, his family, and his journey so far here.

Who are Bryce Eldridge’s Parents?

Bryce Eldridge has an extremely unique family background—something that is a mix of sports and music! He is the son of Ben and Beth Eldridge—and that itself sounds like a musical mix. Now his father, Ben, isn’t just a good supportive baseball dad; he is a well-known five-string banjo player and a founding member of the legendary bluegrass group The Seldom Scene. He was born in Virginia and made his mark not just in music but in math, too.

Ben worked professionally as a mathematician, too. His discipline has clearly been a huge influence on his son. Although the stage is the diamond for him, then a musical hall. Meanwhile, Bryce’s mother, Bet Eldridge, has played just as important a role. She is a stay-at-home baseball mom and has been present for Bryce every step of the way. Through the start, the happy moments, and the tough ones. Together, they have shaped what Bryce Eldridge has come to be now.

Bryce Eldridge’s Early Life and Amateur Career

Bryce Edward Eldridge was born on October 20, 2004, in Virginia, and he grew up in Vienna. He attended James Madison High School, and there he became an excellent two-way player, doing great both as a pitcher and a hitter. Then by 2022, Eldridge was already making some big noise not just in the local scenes, but internationally too.

Eldridge played for the United States national under-18 team in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup. He ended up batting .316 with three home runs and 13 RBIs. He also ended up getting USA Baseball’s Richard W. “Dick” Case Award. This was when he created a name for himself. Now back at James Madison High, he kept dominating, and in 2023, he was named Virginia Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year. He went 11–0 with a 1.30 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 53.2 innings.

Ranked among the country’s top prospects, he committed to play at the University of Alabama. There, he also did great and had video game-level numbers—a 9-0 record with a 1.06 ERA and 66 strikeouts. On the plate, he had a .422 batting average, eight homers, and 23 RBIs. Then came his calling!

Bryce Eldridge’s Contract Details with the Giants

The San Francisco Giants noticed him and made their move in the 2023 MLB Draft. They selected Eldridge with the 16th overall pick. He was seen as one of the best two-way prospects, and Eldridge signed for $4 million in an under-slot deal on July 17, 2023. His professional career began in the Arizona Complex League before he moved to the Single-A San Jose Giants.

Now, by 2024, he had decided to be a first baseman only and put pitching behind him. His bat, after all, was too valuable. And he climbed through the ranks quickly and reached Double-A Richmond, where he was just as great. Across the multiple minor league levels, he finished with a .292 average and 23 home runs over 116 games.

This year, although it brought some adversity for him, as he started on the Double-A injured list. By June, he was back in action with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. And in 66 games, he hit .249 with an .836 OPS and 18 home runs. Combine that with his Double-A Richmond stats, and he has 25 homers this season.

Now with Dominic Smith sidelined, he finally gets his shot at the big league. His defense at first base is still in need of work, although he has been mentored by greats like Will Clark and J.T. Snow. In fact, Snow mentioned, “I’m impressed with the progress Bryce has made since spring training. The last time I was here for four days, he played great defensively.”

Eldridge, meanwhile, knows he is ready even though he is a rookie for the big stage. Last month, when he was asked about a possible call-up, he said, “I think that’s something everyone on this team is thinking about. I think everyone wants to be up there and get a shot up there. If it happens, it happens. And obviously I’d be very, very grateful for that opportunity.”

 Does Bryce Eldridge Have a Girlfriend?

No, right now, there is no information on the public platform or his socials that he has a girlfriend. For now, his focus seems to be just baseball.