Giants call up top prospect Bryce Eldridge: ‘Feeling sexy at the plate’
SAN FRANCISCO — One of the top hitting prospects in baseball joined the league’s worst offense Monday when the Giants called up 21-year-old first baseman Bryce Eldridge. “He likes what he’s walking into,” Tony Vitello, manager of the 13-21 squad, said. “I’ll say that.
” The Giants are hoping top prospect Bryce Eldridge can provide a spark in what’s been an anemic offense. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images The Giants rank last in the league in runs scored. They plated nine over the course of their most recent road trip while losing all six games.
They rank last in walks and home runs, too. This is no soft landing: They’re counting on the 6-foot-7 slugger to help turn things around. In that case, some good news: “I’m feeling sexy at the plate right now,” Eldridge said with a grin to a horde of more than a dozen reporters and cameras in front of his locker, where a No.
8 jersey hung. Eldridge has been tearing the cover off the ball since the Giants optioned him to Triple-A in the final week of spring training, as has his more contact-oriented teammate, utility man Jesus Rodriguez. Both players were added to the roster and in the lineup for the start of their home stand against the Padres on Monday.
Trevor McDonald was also recalled to make a spot start. In corresponding moves, Jerar Encarnacion, who is out of options, was designated for assignment, Will Brennan, another seldom-used outfielder, was optioned to Triple-A, and left-hander Erik Miller was placed on the injured list. Jerar Encarnacion is being assigned to the minors after hitting .