Eldridge tuning out trade rumors, looking forward to teaming up with Devers

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Bryce Eldridge debuted a new number at the Giants’ FanFest Tour stop at San Pedro Square Market on Saturday.

The rookie first baseman was issued No. 78 when he made his Major League debut last September, but he managed to work his way down into the single digits over the offseason, adopting No. 8 as an homage to hockey star Alexander Ovechkin.

Eldridge hopes the number change will be the last swap he’s involved in this offseason, though he knows that he’s also been the subject of some recent trade rumors.

With Eldridge and fellow power-hitter Rafael Devers now occupying the same defensive position, there was speculation that the Giants could trade the 21-year-old Eldridge -- their No. 1 prospect and No. 12 overall, according to MLB Pipeline -- to fill other holes on the roster.

Eldridge has heard the chatter, but he said he’s trying to block out the noise and keep his focus on preparing for his first full season with the Giants.

“It’s definitely a first,” Eldridge said Saturday. “I try not to get too wrapped up in anything going on. I think when you get to a point in the offseason, people need stuff to talk about, whether they know what’s true and what’s not. I don’t know how far those talks got. But I want to be here. I want to play for this team. I don’t plan on leaving here anytime soon. I hope they don’t plan on making me leave anytime soon. I want to be here for a long time.”

Eldridge spent the first part of his offseason rehabbing from left wrist surgery, but he said he’s in the final stages of his hitting progression and is “basically full go now.” The 6-foot-7 slugger injured the wrist last spring and received a cortisone shot to relieve the pain, but he continued to play through some discomfort during the regular season. He decided to go under the knife to remove a bone spur from his troublesome wrist in October, which he hopes will leave him unencumbered heading into 2026.

“I grinded through it,” Eldridge said. “Some days were better than others. It was definitely mentally challenging, too, just knowing I’ve got to go up there and I didn’t feel 100 percent for most of the year. But it just gives me confidence, knowing what I was able to do with not feeling my best, especially on an upper-body injury. You kind of need that to swing the bat.”

Eldridge batted .260 with an .843 OPS and 25 home runs over 102 games in the Minors before he was brought up for a 10-game stint with the Giants last year. San Francisco hasn’t committed to carrying him on its Opening Day roster, but Eldridge said his goal is to prove that he deserves to be a member of the 26-man group coming out of camp.

“I want to make an impact and start the year with the team,” Eldridge said. “Whatever role they want me in, mixing time with Devers -- I think me and him can be a very dangerous duo in the middle of the lineup for a long time. My expectations for myself are to earn a spot, stay out there and continue to make an impact for the team. Continue to drive in runs, make plays on the field and continue to hit the ball.”

Eldridge is already familiar with new Giants manager Tony Vitello, as he got to know the former University of Tennessee coach when he was being recruited out of James Madison High School in Vienna, Va., a few years ago.

Eldridge turned Vitello down in favor of Alabama, though he ended up forgoing his college commitment when he was selected by the Giants in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft (16th overall). Now that Vitello has made an unprecedented leap from the college ranks to the Majors, the two will have a chance to reunite and join forces in San Francisco.

“I think we’re going to be a pretty good team,” Eldridge said. “I’m excited. I’m a college-aged kid, and everyone that I know who played at Tennessee had an amazing relationship with him. Me, personally, I’m very excited to get to play for him.”