MLB Draft 2023: Get To Know Bryce Eldridge, 16th Overall Pick By Giants

Bryce Eldridge was taken by the Giants with the 16th overall choice in the 2023 MLB Draft, one year after they selected Reggie Crawford, another two-way prospect.

MLB Draft 2023: Get To Know Bryce Eldridge, 16th Overall Pick By Giants

Eldridge produced staggering numbers for James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia, on his way to being awarded the 2022–23 Gatorade Virginia Baseball Player of the Year. In 39 2/3 innings, he threw to a 1.06 ERA while striking out 66 batters. At the plate, he hit.422 with eight home runs, a.649 on-base percentage, and an OPS of 1.716. He was the first James Madison High School athlete to get the honor.

With loads of natural power in his 6-7, 223-pound physique, the Virginia prep star is one of the top high school hitters in the 2023 MLB Draft. He is also one of the finest pitching prospects, with a fastball that can reach the mid-90s, along with a wipeout slider and advanced feel.

He will be selected in the first round of the draft on Sunday. He might be taken anywhere and is anticipated to be taken no later than when he is in his 20s. Additionally, depending on the team that selects him, he could get the chance to play both baseball and basketball in the minor levels.

Now, he is being compared to Angles Japanese Star Ohtani.

Eldridge would have to give up his college eligibility in order to begin this season playing in the minor levels if he signed a professional contract. Eldridge must play in Tuscaloosa for at least three seasons if he decides to attend college before becoming available for another draft.

Eldridge’s baseball antics were covered by The Washington Post. Stories about him hitting three home runs in a single game at the age of ten and throwing harder at 10 than any 13-year-old in the country are common. One home run allegedly traveled more than 600 feet.

He shown this high degree of ability to perform both during his time in high school. In his second year, he assisted Madison in winning the state championship, and in 2023, he was selected for the Team USA under-18 World Cup squad. He earned the tournament MVP for Team USA after hitting.316 with three home runs and 13 RBIs while throwing three innings and allowing just one hit.

Although Eldridge’s changeup received a passing grade, it has the potential to be another effective pitch for the big righty, who last summer participated in the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup as both a hitter and a pitcher for USA Baseball, which won the gold medal. Eldridge received the title of competition MVP.

There will be discussion as to whether Eldridge’s future is on the mound or in the batter’s box, as is the case with most two-way prospects. It seems that the industry was more inclined toward the high school student during his final season as a hitter. But regardless of how they decide to use him, Eldridge has the ability to benefit teams.

“That whole comparison — yeah, it’s pretty cool,” Eldridge told the Post. “He’s the only guy who’s been able to do it in the league at a high level. He proved it was possible. I’m going to keep doing both until someone makes me drop the glove or the bat.”

And Eldridge wants to do more than simply live up to the moniker, according to his high school coach Mark Gjormand, who spoke to the Post. He aspires to outperform it.

“He doesn’t just want to be a major league player; he wants to be the best major league player,” Gjormand said. “He gets compared to Ohtani — he wants to be better than Ohtani. People may go, ‘That’s cocky, that’s arrogant.’ No, that is just the truth. He’s striving  for that.”

Eldridge is the first high school player to be taken by the Giants in the first round since Farhan Zaidi assumed the role of president of baseball operations. Eldridge was ranked No. 23 on MLB Pipeline’s list of top Draft prospects.

 

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