Giants' Eldridge Likely to Start 2026 Season in Minors

Team focused on development, repetitions for top prospect before MLB debut

Feb. 21, 2026 at 2:08pm

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The San Francisco Giants are taking a cautious approach with top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who made his MLB debut in 2025. Despite Eldridge's power potential, the team is focused on allowing him more repetitions and development time in the minors before bringing him up to the majors, likely after Opening Day.

Why it matters

The Giants are known for their patient approach with top prospects, as seen with Buster Posey's development. This strategy aims to ensure Eldridge, the team's best position player prospect since Posey, is fully prepared to contribute at the MLB level when he does get the call.

The details

Eldridge, 21, has only played 117 games above Single-A ball in his two professional seasons due to a wrist injury in 2025. While he flashed power in Triple-A, posting an .836 OPS, the Giants want to see more consistency and fewer strikeouts before promoting him. Manager Tony Vitello has emphasized the importance of "repetitions" for young hitters to mature, a sign Eldridge may need more time in the minors.

  • Eldridge made his MLB debut on September 15, 2025.
  • Eldridge is likely to start the 2026 season in the minors, with his MLB debut coming after Opening Day.

The players

Bryce Eldridge

The Giants' 2023 first-round draft pick, a 21-year-old outfielder considered the team's best position player prospect since Buster Posey.

Buster Posey

Former Giants catcher who made his MLB debut in 2009 and went on to have a Hall of Fame career, serving as a model for the team's patient approach with top prospects.

Tony Vitello

Giants manager who has emphasized the importance of "repetitions" for young hitters to develop, suggesting Eldridge may need more time in the minors.

Jerar Encarnacion

A 28-year-old Giants outfielder/first baseman with power potential who could see time at designated hitter in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“He's incredibly mature as a kid, but repetitions and conversations and maturing so that he's a complete player is the key to him becoming the best version of himself.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“As a hitter at any level, repetitions are the most valuable thing. As you mature as a player, as the benefit of those reps, you become better.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

“Repetitions are massive. … It's an experience-based sport and it's an experience-based craft. … I just think stacking those reps and experiences helps you guys truly see who Drew is or who Jung (Hoo Lee) or whoever it might be. If you're going to play the game for 10 years and have a lot of success, you need that.”

— Tony Vitello, Giants Manager

What’s next

The Giants will continue to monitor Eldridge's progress in spring training, but he is likely to start the 2026 season with the team's Triple-A affiliate in Sacramento to get more repetitions and development before his eventual MLB debut.

The takeaway

The Giants are taking a patient, development-focused approach with top prospect Bryce Eldridge, mirroring the strategy they used with Buster Posey. This cautious approach aims to ensure Eldridge is fully prepared to contribute at the MLB level when he does get the call, rather than rushing him to the majors.