The San Francisco Giants have called up one of baseball's top hitting prospects, 21-year-old first baseman Bryce Eldridge, in a move that brings a spark of hope to the league's worst offense. Eldridge joins the team as they look to shake off a rough start to the season.

"He likes what he's walking into," said manager Tony Vitello, whose 13-21 squad has struggled mightily at the plate. "I'll say that."

The numbers tell a tough story: the Giants rank dead last in runs scored, walks, and home runs. They managed just nine runs during a recent six-game road trip that ended in a sweep. It's a tough environment for any young player, let alone a 6-foot-7 slugger expected to help turn things around.

But Eldridge isn't backing down from the challenge. "I'm feeling sexy at the plate right now," he said with a grin to a crowd of reporters, standing in front of his locker where a No. 8 jersey hung. That confidence comes from a hot streak since being optioned to Triple-A in the final week of spring training, where he's been tearing the cover off the ball.

Eldridge isn't the only new face in the clubhouse. The Giants also added utility man Jesus Rodriguez, a contact-oriented hitter acquired from the Yankees last summer in the Camilo Doval trade. Rodriguez has hit above .300 in all six minor-league seasons and is batting .330 with an .840 OPS this year. He made his major-league debut behind the plate at catcher, while also capable of playing second base and left field.

"That guy puts the bat on the ball a lot," Eldridge said of Rodriguez. "I love hitting behind him."

Trevor McDonald was also recalled to make a spot start as the Giants opened their home stand against the Padres on Monday. In corresponding roster moves, Jerar Encarnacion was designated for assignment, outfielder Will Brennan was optioned to Triple-A, and left-handed reliever Erik Miller was placed on the injured list with a lower back issue—the same problem that sidelined him in spring training. Vitello said Miller isn't expected to miss more than the minimum 15 days.

For a team desperate for offense, the arrival of Eldridge and Rodriguez brings a fresh energy—and maybe just the jolt the lineup needs.