SAN FRANCISCO — When the Giants acquired Rafael Devers in June, the franchise created a quandary that they’d need to sort out: Who would play first base in the long term?
Would it be Devers, the former third baseman who never played first prior to July? Or would it be top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who didn’t become a full-time first baseman until last season?
Ahead of Eldridge’s debut at first base on Sunday, manager Bob Melvin said Devers and Eldridge would split time at first base for the remainder of the season. Over the Giants’ last four games, Devers and Eldridge have each made two starts apiece at first base. The Giants were eliminated from the N.L. wild-card race on Tuesday night and have just three games remaining, starting Friday night at home against the Colorado Rockies.
As far as next year?
“I think we get through this year, and once we get to spring training next year, we’ll figure that out,” Melvin said earlier this week.
The Giants won’t need to make a decision until they get to Scottsdale next spring. Looking ahead, there is an argument to be made that it makes more sense for the 20-year-old Eldridge, who is almost exactly eight years younger than Devers, to be the team’s full-time first baseman.
“I think I could go out and play an above-average first base in the big leagues. That’s how I feel,” Eldridge said ahead of his debut. “I think a lot of people downplay, maybe not the work I’ve done on defense, but how well I think I’ve done on defense. I think I’ve had a great year over there.
“I’ve just been working my tail off (in the minor leagues) to get better every day. I think any of the coaches who I’ve been with this year would tell you that I played a good first base over there.”
Errors and fielding percentage are not reliable means of measuring defensive ability, but it’s worth noting that Eldridge’s numbers in the minors look considerably better this season compared to last season. In 2024, his first full season in the minors, Eldridge had 18 errors and a .977 fielding percentage over 100 games. Eldridge had nine errors and a .988 fielding percentage over 92 games this season.
In his first game at first base with San Francisco, Eldridge made a diving catch to snag Tommy Edman’s line drive, then threw across the diamond to Matt Chapman at third base to complete a double play. Defense, of course, is not measured in highlights, but it was a glimpse into how Eldridge’s athleticism and six-foot-seven frame can translate to defense.
Wednesday night’s 4-3 win over the Cardinals also provided another example of how Eldridge’s small forward-like frame will be a benefit defensively. Shortstop Willy Adames made a high throw in the top of the fifth on a grounder, but Eldridge was able to reach out and snag the throw while keeping his foot on the bag.
“He’s gotten a lot better and a lot more comfortable over there,” Melvin said. “For a guy that was a two-way player (in high school), he didn’t play in the field. He pitched and DH’d. Now, he’s got to learn a position that he worked hard in during spring training. … Based on what I saw in spring training (versus) what I’m seeing now, it’s a lot different. It’s a lot more comfortable.”
Eldridge’s arm strength could also potentially factor into this equation as well.
The Giants initially drafted Eldridge in 2023 as a two-way player with a mid-90s fastball before converting him to a full-time position player (right field, then first base). First basemen don’t use their arms as much as other positions, but there will be occasions where they’ll need to make strong throws (relays, double plays, etc.)
“I think he’s more comfortable because he’s gotten game reps,” said third base coach Matt Williams, who owns four Gold Glove Awards. “He continues to work on his footwork. It’s not easy being so big. His footwork has greatly improved over the course of the summer. The transfer continues to be a work in progress just because he hasn’t had a whole bunch of reps doing it. But I think he’s made great strides. More room for improvement, certainly, but he’s ready to go.”
Devers, 28, has held his own at first base despite never playing the position during his nine seasons with the Red Sox before he arrived in a mid-season trade. Devers has played the position 28 times in his 87 games with the Giants.
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Devers’ growing pains were on full display back in July, but he’s been been worth +1 defensive runs saved and -1 outs above average over a small sample size of 240 innings.
The inexperience crops up at times, most notably when he initially goes for a grounder to his right before scrambling to the bag, but there have been moments when he shows the dexterity he used at the hot corner.
It’s also worth noting that Devers has adapted well to designated hitter after being a full-time third baseman for the first eight years of his career in the majors. Over 131 games as a designated hitter this season, Devers has a slash line of .273/.397/.510 with 29 homers over 590 plate appearances.
Interestingly, Devers is only hitting .167/.256/.333 with five homers when he as started at first base. That could likely just be chalked up to randomness, but Devers’ offensive proficiency at DH might factor into San Francisco’s decision making.
“Over here, it’s a little bit backwards,” Williams said of Devers’ transition to first base. “Over there, everything goes to your left. Over here, everything goes to your right. That’s been a work in progress, but he doesn’t have an issue catching it and throwing it. That’s all accurate. That’s all good. It’s a question of just understanding position, footwork around the bag, stuff like that. So, he’s making great strides.”