Could the 2026 MLB season be a breakout season for San Francisco Giants first baseman Bryce Eldridge? He's been one of the most impressive prospects to show up for the Giants in quite a period of time.

In a list of the top MLB prospects for 2026 by Keith Law of The Athletic, Law has put Eldridge in the No. 23 spot. Eldridge did see some time last season with the big-league club, and he's hoping to stick around beyond spring training. 

Last season, Law had Eldridge ranked in the No. 29 spot, so Eldridge has been moved up for 2026. Eldridge will have to get used to having Giants manager Tony Vitello in the dugout this season. It'll be Vitello's first season as a major-league manager after serving as head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers' baseball program.

What did Law see in Eldridge when offering some perspective on what he might accomplish this sesaon?

"Eldridge remains the Giants’ best prospect and offers huge offensive upside, but the way the franchise has handled him the past two years is baffling," Law wrote. "He finished his whirlwind 2024 in Triple A, but the Giants wisely had him start 2025 in Double A, as he was still just 20 and had a little over a year of pro experience."

The Giants, though, apparently wanted to put Eldridge on the fast track to the majors. Eldridge only stuck around in Double-A for a number of games last season. It might have been seen as a demotion from Eldridge's viewpoint as he finished a busy 2024 season in Triple-A.

Law pointed out that when he reached back to Triple-A levels last season, Eldridge struck out 30.8 percent of the time. His whiff rate, Law stated, on breaking pitches was a horrific 54.1 percent.

"He’s 6-foot-7 but has a shorter swing than most hitters of that size, which should allow him to make more contact than other hitters of that size, and perhaps he would if he were playing at levels more apposite for a player of his age and inexperience," Law continued.

But the MLB writer also leaned toward showing what Eldridge might be able to accomplish on the more successful side of his game.

"When he puts the ball in play, it’s hard contact: He maxed out at 114.6 mph in Triple A, and his EV50 of 104.8 mph would have ranked in the top 10 in the majors," Law wrote. "Eldridge was a pitcher and DH in high school and remains a work in progress at first base, a position he should be able to play in time, so all the pressure is on his bat."

While Law pointed out some deficiencies in Eldridge's game at this time, he didn't totally disregard what the young player has accomplished with the Giants. In fact, Law remains quite bullish on Eldridge's efforts at the major-league level

"There is the foundation here for a massive power hitter, the anchor in a lineup for a long time, if he gets the time he needs to develop as a hitter," Law wrote.

Here's the biggest deal for Eldridge this season. He needs to show more comfort in the field at the plate. Eldridge has a lot of tools, both at the plate and in the field, that make him a valuable part of the Giants' future.

Should he be able to figure some things out, then look for Eldridge to have a whale of a season for San Francisco. That would be just what the doctor ordered for this ballclub, who is trying to move beyond the .500 mark this season.

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