LOS ANGELES — Eldridge Industries, which was co-founded by members of the Dodgers ownership group, has its name prominently displayed around Dodger Stadium, including on new ribbon boards and outfield signage.
Up until the last batter of the game against the Giants on Monday night, that was the only mention of Eldridge on the field.
Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ promising prospect, sat on the bench for the second game in a row. Manager Tony Vitello eventually sent him to the on-deck circle in the ninth inning with two outs, but he just watched as Luis Arraez finished the game, which ended in a 9-3 loss.
Vitello did confirm that Eldridge would be starting the following night against Yoshinobu Yamamoto. However, he acknowledged that opportunities might be limited for the young player.
“He’s going to get the at-bats here that he wouldn’t have received in the minors, especially as a key player there,” Vitello remarked about the 21-year-old first baseman, who had been productive in Triple-A before his recent promotion.
Eldridge, standing at 6-foot-7, had been a consistent performer at Triple-A Sacramento, boasting a .333 batting average and a .963 OPS. Since his elevation to the major leagues, he’s seen slightly more action but has still played in only four out of seven games.
“That’s just how it is,” Eldridge told a local publication. “It’s definitely different from my routine in Triple-A, but I’m focused on helping the team win.”
He mentioned that he didn’t expect to play every day after making the jump, but is working on finding a routine to improve as he navigates this new environment.
Eldridge is waiting for the organization to communicate its plans for his development.
“I think a discussion is needed,” he added. “I want to be open with them and hope they feel the same way about sharing plans for me.”
Vitello, when pressed for clarification about Eldridge’s role, noted that after the prospect hit his first major league home run, he was benched for two subsequent games against right-handed pitchers.
“What’s his role? He’s a threat,” Vitello said. He indicated that Eldridge’s absence from the game could be difficult but emphasized that he’s “here for the long haul.”
The challenge lies in the fact that Eldridge’s potential position is currently held by Rafael Devers, who has been on a hot streak, hitting three home runs in five games. Casey Schmidt, another player, is also performing well this season.
While Schmidt can shift around the infield, that could mean sitting some higher-paid veterans or the star second baseman, Arraez.
“As much as Bryce brings to the table, Raffi is our top threat right now,” Vitello explained. “Casey has been our best producer, making things complicated for us.”
Some felt Eldridge should have been on the Opening Day roster, especially when Devers was limited to designated hitter early in the season. However, the decision was made to send him to Triple-A to work on his strikeouts and gain experience at first base, a position he had only taken on recently.
Now, a lot of his learning—particularly about first base—has to happen in practice, as Devers is likely to remain a mainstay in the lineup.
“There’s no slowing down his development,” said Vitello.
Vitello referenced Sunday’s game when Eldridge pinch-hit under pressure, recognizing that additional at-bats could be very beneficial for his growth, even if in less-than-ideal scenarios.
“I want him to get some at-bats, regardless of the circumstances,” Vitello noted. “It’s important for his progression to see live pitching regularly.”
However, just hours later in what became the Dodgers’ largest defeat of the season, Eldridge didn’t have a single opportunity to bat.
“He’ll likely question not getting more chances,” Vitello remarked.
In a way, there’s a push for the Giants to invest more in this long-term prospect. “Accumulating at-bats—even in unexpected situations—is a smart idea,” Vitello concluded. “And while we’re keen on his development, we’re also striving to win games.”
