Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Still in mix for rotation
Rotowire
Birdsong has a 2.89 ERA and a 13:1 K:BB this spring, including an outing against minor leaguers that doesn't count toward his Cactus League stats, and he is in the mix for a rotation spot, Justice delos Santos of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
It seemed like Birdsong would be behind Kyle Harrison and maybe even Landen Roupp in the competition for the fifth starter's spot, but Birdsong has pitched well enough to keep his name in the mix. In fact, Birdsong was so efficient in his most recent appearance Monday, throwing 45 pitches over three scoreless innings, that he went back out to the bullpen to keep throwing in order to meet his pitch count requirement, per delos Santos. Birdsong threw 129.1 innings last season, significantly more than Roupp (76.2 innings) and also more than Harrison (124.1 innings), and is up over 10 unofficial innings this spring, so he won't miss out on the rotation due to any any durability concerns. Birdsong's control was poor in 2024, particularly in the majors (13.7 BB%), but if he has indeed taken a step forward in that aspect of his game, he could be in for a breakout 2025 season.
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Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Might not make rotation
Rotowire
Birdsong could be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Giants' rotation, Maria Guardado of MLB.com reports.
Birdsong flashed plenty of promise in 2024, particularly from a strikeouts perspective, posting a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB over 72 innings covering 16 regular-season starts. However, with the signing of Justin Verlander and expected return of Jordan Hicks to the rotation, Birdsong could begin the 2025 campaign back at Triple-A Sacramento. It might not be the worst thing since Birdsong still needs to work on his control, but he has some of the best upside of any of the Giants' starting pitchers and still figures to spend ample time in the major-league rotation.
Birdsong (5-6) allowed three runs on four hits and three walks over 4.1 innings Sunday, striking out 11 and taking a loss against St. Louis.
Through four innings, Birdsong had given up one run on a solo shot by Brendan Donovan. The Cardinals then tacked on two more in the fifth inning. Despite recording only 13 outs, Birdsong punched out 11 and racked up 19 whiffs. He generated 12 of those whiffs via the slider. Birdsong ends his rookie season with a 4.75 ERA and 88:43 K:BB through 72 innings. He completed six innings in just one of his 16 MLB starts.
Birdsong (5-5) allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out six over five innings to earn the win over the Diamondbacks on Monday.
Birdsong has followed up a seven-start winless stretch with back-to-back victories. The rookie right-hander has allowed seven runs over 18.2 innings across four starts in September. He's at a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 77:40 K:BB through 67.2 innings over 15 starts this season. Birdsong is tentatively projected to make his last start of the regular season at home versus the Cardinals.
Giants' Hayden Birdsong: One out short of quality start
Rotowire
Birdsong (4-5) earned the win Wednesday against Baltimore, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out three.
Birdsong fell just shy of his second quality start of 2024, as he got pulled in favor of Erik Miller after giving up a single to Colton Cowser in the sixth inning. Miller immediately yielded a double to Ryan O'Hearn, plating Cowser as Birdsong's third earned run. In his last three starts, Birdsong has a 3.29 ERA with an 11:8 K:BB across 13.2 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Diamondbacks in Arizona his next time out.
Giants' Hayden Birdsong: Throws five scoreless frames
Rotowire
Birdsong did not factor into the decision in a loss to the Brewers on Thursday, allowing two hits and one walk over five scoreless innings while striking out four.
Birdsong got off to a great start Thursday, allowing just one hit through the first four innings before being relieved in the sixth after throwing just 68 pitches. It marked the right-hander's first time going at least five innings since July 27 against the Rockies, which was also the last time that he collected a win. Additionally, it marked the first time in Birdsong's last five starts that he didn't issue multiple walks.
