Bryce Eldridge Keeps Rolling Along

SF Giants Minor Lines, June 4, 2024

As usual, as soon as I published my weekly transactions recap, the new ones came flying fast and furiously. Let’s start our week out by knowing who exactly is where, because the names and the places got an extreme shake up yesterday!

Let’s start in Double-A Richmond, where the Flying Squirrels were in dire need of some replacements and fresh bodies. Richmond had been running with a short roster even before losing two starting pitchers on Sunday. To help matters, they added five players:

• Christian Koss, returning from rehab

• Mat Olsen, activated from the IL

• Kyle Cody and Nick Sinacola, promoted from Eugene

• Alerick Soularie, promoted from ACL.

That put the team one over the maximum, so the Giants made everyone fit in by releasing infielder Damon Dues. The undrafted free agent, signed in 2021, had a career .417 OBP, but he’d hit just .185 with the Squirrels in 30 games this year, and the hit data wasn’t on his side. He’s been an on-base machine both in college and the pros, though, and I’m sure he’ll find another opportunity to chase his dream.

Speaking of opportunities, Soularie was actually a 2nd round pick for the Twins in 2020 — which seems awfully quick to give up on a high round draft choice who signed a $900,000 bonus! He didn’t hit much over three seasons with Minnesota, however, batting less than .230 over four levels. When he got off to a .164 start in a return to Double-A this spring, the Twins cut ties with him. Though Soularie has predominantly played the outfield over his career, the Giants have been working him out at 2b.

Further down the system, the ACL club is getting some brand new rehabbers, as last year’s 4th rounder, Maui Ahuna, and 13th rounder, Jack Payton, are finally returning to action — along with Robbie Ray and Keaton Winn, who also headed to the ACL for tune ups. We’ll see all of those rehabbers and more in today’s Minor Lines! And, finally, though Ian Villers and Wilkelma Castillo’s rehab assignments in the ACL have ended, they were both re-assigned right back to the ACL Giants as just regular old players! Finally, Trevor McDonald was moved out of the ACL — but not up to Richmond just yet. He’ll continue his rehab in Eugene for now.

And now we’re all caught up and ready to start the week, which kicked off with a crazy first night that included pitchers’ duels, run-fests, and a truly eye-popping performance from a former top prospect!

HITTER of the NIGHT: Diego Velasquez (Eug), 3 for 6, 2 3b, 1 BB, 2 R, 4 RBI
PITCHER of the NIGHT: John Michael Bertrand (Rich), 6.0, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K

Last week’s guest on the pod takes the pitcher of the night honors for his fine work on the mound — but let’s not overlook his fine work getting off the mound, which was an important part of the story as well! It’s not a shutout without this gem! Pitchers are athletes, too!