Giants Promote Top Prospect Amid Unexpected Playoff Push

Playoff Race Fuels Call-Up

The Giants sit one-and-a-half games behind the New York Mets for the final NL Wild Card spot with 13 games remaining. They sold at the deadline after going all-in on Rafael Devers, and it looked like all eyes were on the final regular-season game to put an end to a disappointing season. On September 1, the Giants had a 2.1% chance of making the playoffs (per FanGraphs) and stood five games back of the final Wild Card spot. But a 3-9 stretch from the New York Mets gave San Francisco the opportunity needed to see a way into October. Today, FanGraphs gives the Giants a 9.4% playoff chance, justifying Eldridge’s bat for a Wild Card push. However, first baseman Dominic Smith suffered a hamstring strain on Friday, likely ending his season. Thus, San Franciaso called upon Eldridge’s bat to boost their offense for the remainder of this tight playoff race. 

Eldridge’s Rapid Rise

Eldridge entered pro ball as the Giants’ first-round pick (16th overall) in 2024 from Madison High School in Virginia. Initially, scouts hailed him as a two-way star, dubbing him the “American Ohtani” for his hitting and pitching prowess. However, he focused on hitting and playing first base after signing for a hair under $4 million. In 2023, he hit .233 with 10 homers in 42 games across rookie and Single-A levels. Eldridge’s 2024 was slowed by a wrist injury, but his .291 average and 52 extra-base hits show strong progress. He began 2025 in Double-A Richmond, slashing .280/.350/.512 across 34 games before being promoted to Triple-A Sacramento. Eldridge’s numbers since his promotion have been good, not great. A .249 average and .332 on-base percentage are serviceable, but his .836 OPS jumps off the screen. 18 home runs and 13 doubles show the power that comes with his six-foot-seven, 240-pound frame. 

Diving into advanced stats, of players in Triple-A this season who have seen at least 1000 pitches, Eldridge is in at least the 95th percentile in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, EV, max EV, 50th% EV, 90th% EV, barrel%, and hard-hit% (per Prospect Savant). The downside to the raw power is a 31.1% strikeout rate, validated by a 28.55% chase rate. 

Impact on Giants’ Stretch Run

Eldridge ranks No. 13 on MLB Pipeline’s top prospect list and No. 19 on Baseball America’s. Moreover, his raw power could energize a lineup averaging just 4.1 runs per game. Yet, his defense remains raw, so expect platoons with Wilmer Flores and splitting time between DH and first base with Rafael Devers. As the Giants attempt to squeak through the back door into the playoffs, Eldridge’s debut offers excitement and hope.