Giants Bulletin: Eldridge belongs, Giants’ stars in WBC and more

For those counting down the days until we have baseball at 3rd & King, we are inside three weeks. 19 days, to be exact, until the Yankees and Giants do battle in the first MLB game of the season. With the World Baseball Classic getting underway this week, Giants fans will have a nice distraction as the countdown grows nearer. 

There will also be a distinct Giants flavor in this year’s tournament, as Logan Webb toes the rubber for the United States on opening night against Brazil just a few hours from now. Luis Arraez is starring for team Venezuela, and Jung Hoo Lee is patrolling the outfield for team Korea. There will be no shortage of Giants represented in baseball’s version of the World Cup in 2026. 

While some of the stars are away, Tony Vitello and company will continue to grind out the Spring Training schedule in Arizona. There will be plenty of opportunity for players on the roster bubble to prove their worth. Bryce Eldridge, whose MLB service time is limited but his fame and minor league track record is well known, continues to dazzle in the spring. Scouts often talk about the sound a players’ bat makes as an intangible indicator of talent. 

Eldridge has always had that, and it’s been showcased pretty much nonstop in the Cactus League this year. It seems as though each day, a new clip of the Giants’ most prized possession is released sporting a missile north of 110 MPH off his bat. Another week of this and it won’t be much of a debate, Eldridge will be on the Opening Day roster and most likely starting, be it first base or DH. 

From a pitching standpoint, Vitello continues to experiment with the back end of his starting rotation and an increasingly concerning stable of bullpen arms. Tyler Mahle had a solid outing on Friday afternoon, tossing a pair of scoreless frames. His command left some to be desired, as he issued three walks. Mahle struck out four Reds. 

The final installment of KNBR content from early in Spring training is a fun one. You never know what kind of talent your favorite players have away from the field. In the Giants’ case, some players have a knack for artwork. The more ya know.