Bryce Eldridge MLB debut momentum unable to inspire Giants – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The momentum from Bryce Eldridge’s highly anticipated MLB debut wasn’t enough to lift the Giants past the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field. 

Instead, the Giants took another stumble in the NL wild-card race, succumbing to a series-opening 8-1 loss in Arizona. 

Eldridge, despite going hitless in his first game in The Show, was one of the few standouts on Monday.

The 20-year-old, who joined San Francisco greats Madison Bumgarner and Matt Cain in the organization’s history book for youngest debuts, backed the hype, especially when going up against Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen in his first major league at-bat.

“It was fun. I think that was a good start, facing a guy like him,” Eldridge told reporters after his debut. “I had fun. 

“He had a good plan against me. It was fun to face him. I felt like I belonged. I felt like I competed and did my best.”

Less than 48 hours ago, Eldridge, selected with the 16th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, had zero clue he would be getting an major league call-up.

Fast forward to Monday night, and Eldridge revealed that he had more than 25 loved ones rooting him on at Chase Field as he put together an 0-for-3 performance, including an eye-catching flyout.

When asked about Eldridge’s awaited debut, manager Bob Melvin didn’t hesitate to validate why the slugger is one of San Francisco’s most promising power-hitting prospects in recent memory.

“He looks good up there. [He] had some good swings,” Melvin told reporters. “It’s too bad he didn’t get the one hit there, but he certainly didn’t look like he was overmatched, didn’t look like he was nervous.

“I’m sure there were some nerves there, but he looks pretty hitter-ish at the plate.” 

Now two games back of the New York Mets, and with persistent bullpen struggles at play, the Giants certainly will need Eldridge to be everything he has been promised to be. 

In the meantime, the organization’s No. 1 prospect at least got the debut nerves out of the way.

“I feel like just today, for the debut, there’s kind of like not pressure but some nerves,” Eldridge concluded.

“[I was] working through that. Like I said, the first at-bat. After that, it felt like a normal game. I don’t focus on that. I focus on trying to hit the ball hard and do my job.”

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