The big news from SF Giants camp so far is that top prospect Bryce Eldridge has taken some fly balls in the outfield. While this my just be a spring experiment, let’s take a look at what this could mean for some fringe outfielders.
This minor development should not make people slot Eldridge as the starting left fielder in their Opening Day projections, but it is still noteworthy. Giving the tall slugger more defensive flexibility is something that has been talked about recently so it makes sense to at least get him some reps in the corner outfield spots even if he ends up never playing out there in the big leagues.
Eldridge getting reps in outfield could have ramifications for fringe outfielders
Eldridge has been developed as a first baseman the last few years after initially being used in right field his first year in the Giants organization. The outfield is a bit foreign to him and he didn’t even have his outfield glove in camp with him so it may take time for him to get comfortable out there.
The expectation should still be that if Eldridge sees time in the field with the Giants this season, it will mostly be at first base. Observers have noted his vast improvement at first base in recent years so he is clearly more comfortable at that spot.
The only problem is that the Giants already have Rafael Devers at first base. He figures to get the bulk of the playing time at first this season which could limit Eldridge to mostly designated hitter duties.
But if this experiment in the outfield proves to be more than just a lark, it could definitely impact several players who are trying to make the roster.
Luis Matos and Jerar Encarnacion are the two most obvious roster casualties if Eldridge makes the Opening Day roster. Both outfielders are out of minor league options and would be placed on waivers if the Giants did not carry them. Should the Giants have both Eldridge and Drew Gilbert on the team, which in the case of Gilbert seems likely given his ties to manager Tony Vitello and ability to play all three outfield positions, that would make it hard to carry Matos and Encarnacion.
Assuming the Giants go with four bench players to begin the season, one of those spots will go to a backup catcher. Then, the Giants must decide if they want two infielders and one outfielder, or one outfielder and two infielders to comprise the rest of the bench.
It seems like it would be hard to keep Casey Schmitt and Christian Koss off the roster after what they contributed last season, but maybe the Giants would be comfortable having Koss start the year in Triple-A to make room for either Matos or Encarnacion.
But if the Giants break camp and Eldridge is batting .400 and he has gotten enough reps in the outfield to where the Giants would trust him out there if he was needed, then Matos and Encarnacion would probably be out of luck because Eldridge could serve as the team’s fifth outfielder after Gilbert while still also being able to play first base or be the DH.
Again, Eldridge may never take another rep in the outfield again and this could be lost to the Cactus League sands of time along with Wade Meckler’s reps at second base last spring. But if Eldridge does take to the outfield, Matos and Encarnacion may be in trouble.