Giants' Bryce Eldridge Embraces Veteran Advice to 'Be Yourself'

The 21-year-old first baseman is taking lessons from Giants veterans to heart as he prepares for his second MLB spring training.

Feb. 23, 2026 at 10:12pm

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Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge, a 2023 first-round draft pick, is focusing on being himself and not trying to be someone else as he enters his second MLB spring training. Veteran players like Willy Adames and Matt Chapman have encouraged Eldridge to stay true to his strengths, rather than trying to change his game. Eldridge is trying to soak up information and advice from his teammates and coaches as he looks to build on his MLB debut last September.

Why it matters

Eldridge is one of the Giants' top prospects, and the organization has high expectations for the 6-foot-7 first baseman. By heeding the advice of veteran players to focus on his own game, Eldridge can develop at his own pace and avoid trying to be someone he's not, which could ultimately help him reach his full potential.

The details

Eldridge, who was selected 16th overall in the 2023 draft, made his MLB debut last September, going 3-for-28 with two doubles and 13 strikeouts over 10 games. This offseason, Giants veterans Adames and Chapman pulled Eldridge and other young players aside to tell them to "just be yourself" and not try to do too much. Eldridge said that message resonated with him, as he knows he's a power hitter and shouldn't try to change his game. The 21-year-old is trying to soak up as much information as he can from the Giants' coaching staff and veterans, and he's focused on his faith and family to keep him grounded.

  • Eldridge made his MLB debut on September 15, 2025.
  • Eldridge is currently participating in the Giants' 2026 spring training.

The players

Bryce Eldridge

A 21-year-old first baseman for the San Francisco Giants, who was selected 16th overall in the 2023 MLB draft.

Willy Adames

A veteran infielder for the San Francisco Giants.

Matt Chapman

A veteran infielder for the San Francisco Giants.

Buster Posey

The president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants.

Tony Vitello

The manager of the San Francisco Giants.

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What they’re saying

“They were just saying, 'be yourself, don't try to be anyone else.' I think that was a good message to me. If I try and do more, I'm a power guy, I'm not going to wow anyone on the basepaths. I'm going to make the plays at first. If I try to be a slap hitter or bunt, I'm going to try and be myself, not go outside of that and not compare myself to others. I think that'll keep me in a good space.”

— Bryce Eldridge, Giants First Baseman

What’s next

Eldridge will likely start the 2026 season at Triple-A Sacramento to get more experience and repetitions, with the expectation that he will have a greater role with the Giants in the near future as a middle-of-the-lineup hitter.

The takeaway

Eldridge's willingness to listen to veteran advice and focus on being himself rather than trying to be someone he's not shows maturity beyond his years. This approach should serve him well as he continues to develop and works towards becoming an everyday player for the Giants.