SAN FRANCISCO — Still missing several key players in their starting rotation, the Giants plan to call up rookie Hayden Birdsong to make his MLB debut on Wednesday.
Manager Bob Melvin made the announcement prior to Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park, saying the team has high expectations for the 22-year-old right-hander.
“We're excited about it,” Melvin said. “He's going to have a long big-league career, in my opinion. It's probably coming, it's starting, a little earlier than we expected because it's needed and it's probably going to require the best pitching out there. I think that's why the decision was made.”
The Giants haven't had a fully healthy rotation for much of this season. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and rookie Robbie Ray, as well as Alex Cobb and Keaton Winn, have had to sit out at various times due to injuries.
Birdsong, a sixth-round pick in 2022, is one of the Giants' top pitching prospects. He began the season at Double-A Richmond, where he went 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA. With a wide repertoire of pitches, Birdsong had 61 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings.
He was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on June 15 and continued to impress, recording 14 strikeouts in nine innings over two starts. Birdsong threw 91 pitches in his last start with the River Cats, so he has the ability to stretch into games.
“His two starts with Triple-A have been good,” Melvin said. “In terms of pitches, he can throw a lot more fastballs than a starter can. Look, there's some risk with a player coming to Triple-A. He's a young player, he's very talented.”
Birdsong had spent time with the Giants during spring training, so Melvin and the staff were familiar with him even before they saw him work in the minors.
“You look at their bullpens, it’s really starter-like and there’s talent,” Melvin said. “He’s young, but it’s exciting to think he’ll get a chance to start, especially here at home.”
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