I can’t recall the last time I read such uplifting news right before bed — the kind that doubles as a perfect distraction during those middle-of-the-night wakeups and just as good to see first thing in the morning.
Susan Slusser of sfchronicle.com broke the story tonight: the San Francisco Giants are promoting their top prospect, Bryce Eldridge — the towering left-handed slugger once dubbed “the American Ohtani” for his two-way ability — to give the team one last spark in their final 13 games.
Eldridge had long been a favorite in daily minor league updates, but until Friday, a call-up seemed unlikely. His 28–30% strikeout rate suggested he could use more seasoning in the minors, especially since he doesn’t need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason.
But circumstances shifted. After an ugly weekend series, it became clear the Giants needed a course correction. While they remain far from matching their old rivals, the Dodgers, Eldridge represents a step toward that future — and maybe, just maybe, he helps keep the faint Wild Card hopes alive.
The 6’7” Virginian has crushed 25 homers this year, 18 with Sacramento, and over the last six weeks has put up an OPS north of .840. With Dominic Smith likely out for the season, promoting a left-handed power bat feels like the right call, even if his glove at first base is still a work in progress.
This move isn’t quite on the level of trading Bengie Molina midseason to hand the reins to Buster Posey, but the late-night timing gives it a similar buzz. Debuting Eldridge in Arizona is smart, too — not only do many prospects train there, but the Diamondbacks rank near the bottom in strikeout rate against lefties.
Shifting the narrative from “the Dodgers embarrassed us” to “let’s see what Eldridge can do in his first cup of coffee” is clever both on and off the field.
Of course, expectations should be tempered — a 20-year-old making his debut isn’t going to carry the Giants to a World Series. Still, imagining him slugging 10 homers down the stretch and sparking a deep playoff run? That’s the kind of dream worth staying awake for.
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