MLB Makes Announcement on Giants Prospect After Rafael Devers News
MLB Makes Announcement on Giants Prospect After Rafael Devers News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
In a move that has reshaped their lineup entirely, the San Francisco Giants completed a blockbuster trade that acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox. In his Giants debut, Devers was slotted as the designated hitter—even though he expressed a willingness to play first base—which immediately raised questions about his long-term role for the team.
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'I'm here to play wherever they want me to play,' Devers said in his introductory press conference (via MLB Network), signaling a level of flexibility that contrasts with his past positional disputes with Boston.
While the new star slugger's openness to playing first base is welcome, he has yet to take the field at that position with San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16)© D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
The decision to have Devers serve as the DH in his debut may be directly connected to recent developments in the minor leagues, as the Giants' top prospect Bryce Eldridge, a promising first baseman, has been lighting it up in Triple-A.
MLB's official account posted a video of his most recent home run with a caption detailing his recent power surge.
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'Top Giants prospect Bryce Eldridge has 3 homers in 12 games at Triple-A," the league announced.
With Eldridge's impressive power and defensive ability at first base, the Giants might feel less pressure to rush Devers into a position he has never logged a Major League inning at.
Eldridge, selected in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Giants, has steadily climbed the ranks with his performance at multiple minor league levels. Over his brief professional career, he has displayed a smooth left-handed swing while showcasing elite power, accumulating ten home runs across 46 minor league games this year.
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Devers, the three-time All-Star and World Series champion had been a formidable force in Boston's lineup, from both the DH and third-base positions.
While Devers has embraced a flexible role for his new team, the continued success of Eldridge in the minors may prompt the Giants to accelerate his promotion—potentially supplanting the need for Devers at first base.
Related: Dodgers Send Andy Pages Message After Incident With Padres Manager
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
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