Those numbers are already impressive, but it’s some of the nerdy numbers that truly have the Giants excited. In Triple-A Sacramento this year, Eldridge ran an average exit velocity of 95.7 mph and a max exit velocity of 114.6 mph.
To keep it simple, when making contact, Eldridge hits the ball as hard, if not harder than anybody in the game.
In his mere two weeks with the big-league club, he hit a ball just under 110 mph (109.7 mph) and in just 16 events held an average exit velocity of 95.6 mph, which would’ve ranked second among qualified MLB hitters.
With Devers and Eldridge locked down in San Francisco for north of the next half-decade, the Giants finally have their first base position locked down. The Giants have seen a number of less-than-ideal options sliding in for the majority of the last few seasons, and the franchise can now cross first base off their list of needs this winter.
Final Thoughts
Between Devers’ otherworldly consistency and Eldridge’s elite metrics, San Francisco enters 2026 with real clarity at first base — something they haven’t necessarily had since the retirement of Brandon Belt.
After years of short-term fixes at the position, the Giants can turn their focus to other needs this upcoming winter. The organization is gearing up for a legit return to contention in the National League under new manager Tony Vitello and POBO Buster Posey, and it’s clear that they have a powerhouse planted at first base.