Top Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge made his highly anticipated MLB debut against the Diamondbacks on Monday in Arizona, batting fifth in the lineup as the designated hitter.
While he put together an 0-for-3 performance with one groundout, one strikeout and one flyout, there still was plenty to like from the young slugger’s first game in The Show which proved he is more than capable of handling big-league pitching.
As he walked up to the Chase Field plate for his first major league at-bat in the top of the second inning, Eldridge received a loud ovation from his family and friends in attendance.
With no one on and one out, the 20-year-old worked his way to a full count against Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen before grounding out sharply to first baseman Ildemaro Vargas.
Eldridge tried to check his swing but couldn’t hold back on the first pitch of the at-bat, a 93.6 mph four-seam fastball, before Gallen threw him four straight changeups low and away — one of which was a swing-and-miss.
He hit the sixth pitch of the at-bat, a 94 mph four-seamer, 99 mph off the bat to conclude a quality showing for his first big-league hacks.
The next at-bat against Gallen didn’t go as well. With the count 2-2, Eldridge struck out on a knuckle curve for the third out in the top of the fourth inning.
For a moment, it looked like Eldridge had his first big-league homer during his third at-bat in the top of the seventh inning, which came against Diamondbacks right-hander Taylor Rashi. With Matt Chapman on first base, the slugger hit a ball 407 feet to the deepest part of the outfield in center, but Jorge Barrosa made a leaping catch on the warning track.
Even Eldridge’s cheering section thought the ball was out — and it actually would have been a home run in 23 other ballparks.
The flyout was made all the more impressive by the power Eldridge showcased on an inside pitch, casually flipping the four-seamer over 400 feet the other way.
All in all, Eldridge wasn’t the only Giant who didn’t record a hit in San Francisco’s 8-1 loss. In fact, Casey Schmitt had the Giants’ only two hits of the game.
But there certainly were some promising at-bats from San Francisco’s top prospect, who hopes to make an impact as the Giants continue their quest for an MLB playoff spot.
Download and follow the Giants Talk Podcast
Read the full article here