Credit: Mick Anders / Richmond Flying Squirrels
There weren’t any storybook moments — no walk-off home runs, or big RBI to break up a taut game. But there was the ripple of excitement, the joy of many (MANY!) local friends and family, the lift in the step of everyone around the Squirrels — and the several Giants’ rovers who were in town as well. And there was a big smile on the face of the young man at the center of it all — Bryce Eldridge. Even with an 0 for 3 (and an error!) on his line, he couldn’t help smiling, standing around for nearly an hour after the game talking with friends and family, giving out fervent hugs, and signing autographs for the many fans who sought them.
It was a joyous night that served as the apogee of long, joyous rise. Stepping onto the field for the first inning, Eldridge because the second youngest player in the history of the Richmond franchise — and that “second youngest” is a mere technicality. Needing to fill out the roster on the final weekend of the 2019 season, the Giants sent a couple of kids up from the nearby Augusta roster, forever earning Anyesber Sivira a spot in Squirrels’ lore. As far as real player development moves are concerned, Eldridge snuck in just under Heliot Ramos for the youngest “legitimate prospect” to ever play for Richmond (19 yrs, 10 months, 14 days for Eldridge, 19 yrs, 11 months, 2 days for Ramos). Possibly of greater interest to local fans, Eldridge also became the fifth Virginia native to suit up for the team (following Jarrett Parker, Matt Winn, Connor Overton, and Spencer Bivens). It may be the tail end of a going-nowhere season, but this was a night that will linger in the memory, one that lifted the team out of its doldrums and into a rare space. He wanted to be here, and he got here in the end. That was what this night was about.
(By the way, if anybody wants to buy me an $8,000 camera, I can take beautiful videos just like my friend Jordan Lank’s great work above).
Since we’re All Things Bryce this week, I can’t go without noting that Eldridge was the #1 player in this week’s Baseball America Hot Sheet, a ranking of the 20 hottest prospects in the minor leagues last week. The Hot Sheet hasn’t been very kind to the Giants so far this year, but this week was a cornucopia of Giants’ prospects. Eldridge took the top spot, Sabin Ceballos checked in at #11, and Bo Davidson got the prestigious “Helium” spot, for players who are raising their profile into “true prospect” status. Nice work fellas!
Eldridge also hopped up #37 on the BA’s newest Top 100, fresh off the printer yesterday! (That’s the good news; the less good news is that he’s the only top 100 player the Giants have on the list and that’s not likely to change any time soon at this point).
HITTER of the NIGHT: Wade Meckler (Sac), 4 for 6, 2 R, 1 RBI
CO-PITCHERS of the NIGHT: John Michael Bertrand (Rich), 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K
Trevor McDonald (Sac), 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
No reason to choose between two brilliant starting performances (leading to two shutout victories). Everyone’s a winner (well, not you Eugene!). Let’s head to the lines…
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