San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong (finger) will shift to the bullpen to begin the season. It was between Birdsong and Landen Koupp for the final spot in the starting rotation. Giants manager Bob Melvin confirmed on Monday that Koupp has won that final spot. Both pitchers are deserving of a spot on the Opening Day roster, so luckily they both made it. Birdsong will lose significant fantasy value with the move to the bullpen. He isn't going to offer much fantasy value unless he's picking up saves or possibly holds. It's also worth noting that Birdsong is dealing with a fingernail issue. However, Birdsong appears to be fine to pitch through the issue, so this doesn't sound like something that will land him on the injured list.
San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong (finger) said he's been dealing with an issue with his right middle fingernail. However, he had a fake nail put on his finger and said he should be OK to pitch to open the year as the team's No. 5 starter. The 23-year-old was able to beat out Landon Roupp for the final rotation spot this spring by allowing only one earned run while walking none and striking out 18 in 12 innings over four Cactus League outings (one start). The former sixth-round pick in 2022 out of Eastern Illinois University made his major-league debut in 2024 and went 5-6 with a 4.75 ERA (4.67 FIP), 1.39 WHIP and an 88:43 K:BB in 72 innings over 16 starts. Birdsong struggled with a 13.7 percent walk rate, but he also had an above-average strikeout rate (27.9%), making him a pitcher worth taking a chance on in the right matchups in DFS.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong has won the competition for the fifth spot in the rotation, according to Jon Heyman. While he wasn't viewed as the favorite coming into camp, it was impossible to ignore his performance this spring. He allowed only one earned run, six hits, and no walks in 12 innings while striking out 18. The strikeout upside didn't come as a surprise as he had an excellent 27.9% strikeout rate last season in 16 starts for the big-league club. His biggest issue was his control, with a 13.7% walk rate that ranked in the 1st percentile. He has seemingly fixed that problem in the small sample this spring, making him a high-upside arm if he can carry it over into the regular season.
Hayden Birdsong Could Be Ticketed To Start At Triple-A
MLB.com's Maria Guardado projects San Francisco Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong to be on the outside looking in for a starting rotation spot to begin the 2025 season. Entering spring training, Guardado lists Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, Justin Verlander, Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison as the team's five starters, with Birdsong, Landen Roupp and Keaton Winn as other possibilities. In his big-league debut in 2024, Birdsong went 5-6 with a 4.75 ERA (4.67 FIP), a 1.39 WHIP and 88:43 K:BB in 72 innings over 16 starts. The 23-year-old showed some nice strikeout upside and plenty of stuff that plays at the big-league level, but he would probably benefit from more seasoning with his control on the farm to open 2025. If he improves his command and gets another shot in the rotation at some point in 2025, fantasy managers should be running to the waiver wire to take a chance on him.
The San Francisco Giants called up right-handed pitching prospect Hayden Birdsong from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Spencer Bivens to Double-A Richmond after Monday's game in a corresponding move. Birdsong will make another start for the Giants on Tuesday on the road in Washington D.C. against the hosting Nationals. The 22-year-old will be making his seventh big-league start in his rookie season for the Giants and has a shot to stick around through the rest of the season if he continues to pitch well. Through his first 30 1/3 major-league innings, he's held his own to the tune of a 3-0 record, 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB. The Nationals represent a pretty cushy matchup, too, so Birdsong should be considered a nice fantasy streamer in his return on Tuesday. According to MLB Pipeline, Birdsong is the Giants' No. 4 prospect.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong has been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday. Birdsong was fantastic on the mound during a spot start against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. He struck out eight batters over five shutout innings of work in the win. He holds a 2.97 ERA and 38/15 K/BB ratio across 30 1/2 innings in the big leagues. It shouldn't be too long before we see Birdsong in the majors again.
Hayden Birdsong Starting Second Game Of Doubleheader On Saturday
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong is set to toe the mound in the second game of the Giants' doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. Birdsong had a phenomenal start against the Rockies at Coors Field just six days ago, striking out 12 and giving up just two hits in six innings. Most impressive was Birdsong's 27 swinging strikes after accumulating 37 swinging strikes total in his prior four starts. Fantasy managers may not see the same 12 K performance out of the rookie tonight, but he should still excel against a Rockies lineup that has been one of the least effective road offenses in baseball. Be sure to have him starting in your lineup to capitalize on a favorable matchup.
Hayden Birdsong Optioned, Could Be Back On Saturday
The San Francisco Giants announced on Monday that right-handed rookie Hayden Birdsong was optioned to Single-A San Jose, but manager Bob Melvin said there's an "excellent chance" that Birdsong will return for the team's doubleheader on Saturday to start against the visiting Colorado Rockies. The move comes on the heels of the 22-year-old prospect's best big-league start, when he struck out 12 while giving up two runs in six innings at Coors Field against the Rockies. While fantasy managers will want to keep Birdsong around for that favorable matchup this weekend, it's likely that he'll be booted from San Francisco's starting rotation after that with Robbie Ray (elbow) returning this week and Alex Cobb (hip, shoulder) not far behind. In his first five MLB starts, Birdsong has held his own, going 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 30 K's and 12 walks in 25 1/3 innings pitched.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong was showing off his hit-and-miss stuff during Sunday's outing against the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander struck out 12 batters while allowing two runs in the win. The Rockies only managed to record two hits and two walks while facing Birdsong. The 22-year-old has been solid for the most part during his time in the big leagues. He'll get another start against the Rockies during his next start. That being said, Birdsong looks like he'll be a worthy streaming option for that one.
San Francisco Giants pitching prospect Hayden Birdsong will start for the Giants in his major league debut on Wednesday. The 22-year-old right-hander will draw the Cubs in his first career big league start. He was recently promoted to Triple-A Sacramento after pitching to a 2.05 ERA and 1.12 WHIP at Double-A Richmond. At Sacramento, the Giants' No. 6 prospect was 1-0 with a 5.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in two starts. Birdsong has a plus fastball-curveball combo to rely on with an above-average slider to mix in. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Birdsong has the prototypical presence on the mound. The Giants' pitching rotation has been fighting the injury bug, giving Birdsong a big opportunity. One of the top pitching prospects in the San Francisco system, he is worth a look for pitching desperate fantasy teams.
Hayden Birdsong
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Giants
