As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
The Giants are clearly in a new era, headlined by Buster Posey, and he is having Tony Vitello make the jump up from the college ranks to be the skipper for the Giants squad as they try to get the team back to the postseason. The Giants system is headlined by the massive Bryce Elderidge, who may have to learn a relatively new position, as presumably the Giants will be playing Devers at first and Chapman at third base. This means that Elderidge will be moving to the outfield, unless he is traded, which there are rumors he is available. The Giants have a solid system with a lot of potential role players like Carson Whisenhunt, and a hodgepodge of other close-to-the-majors pitching that will really help a team that needs some pitching depth. The Giants' 2025 draft resulted in them selecting Gavin Kilen in the first round, who projects out to be a solid option at second base in relatively short order. The Giants are hoping this system can help them get some much-needed reinforcements or allow them to trade for a major leaguer or two that could help this team come in second in the NL West.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
Eldridge is a profile of many extremes and tantalizing upside if things click as he reaches the big league level. He had his first taste of the big leagues in 2025 and struggled in predictable ways, but it also was a very small sample size. He has a very tall, fairly built out 6’7 frame with long levers and a whole lot of impact to dream on. The eye-popping power is what carries the profile here, as Eldridge has consistently put up top end exit velocities across the board, has a knack for getting the barrel on the ball, and has plus bat speed that generates a lot of hard hits. He flashes this raw power to all fields as well, which also brings up the point that he could probably benefit from a little more pull focus in the future. It’s double plus raw power right now and could project in game even better if the hit tool progresses. Now, the hit tool is the big concern in the profile. The big left hander and his long levers have a knack for strikeouts and the aggressive approach has not helped him either. He has found himself getting in trouble with the chase rate, especially against breaking stuff. This is someone who just recently turned 21 years old and has been pushed aggressively, so how the approach matures and the contact skills develop will be massive for this profile. In the field, Eldridge looks like a full time first baseman that needs some more experience there but has the tools to be fine in the future. The arm is solid, but the glovework is definitely still a little lacking. He does not bring any value on the bases either, as he is a below average runner and will likely trend downwards as the body continues to fill out and mature. The red flags are within the hit tool questions and the lack of any defensive value here for Eldridge. However, he has a chance to be a middle of the lineup hitter that can rack up the home runs and make a huge impact on the lineup. It’s an extremely risky profile, but if you like upside this is a guy to buy into. - Grant Carver
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
