Giants prospect Hayden Birdsong to make MLB debut Wednesday against Cubs – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SAN FRANCISCO – Still missing several key pieces from 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 before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park and said the team has high expectations for the 22-year-old right-hander.

“We’re excited,” Melvin said. “In my opinion, he is going to have a long career in the major championships. It will probably happen, initially, a little earlier than expected due to the need and probably the presence of the best there. I think that’s why the decision was made.

The Giants haven’t had a fully healthy rotation for much of the season. Reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and newcomer Robbie Ray, along with holdovers Alex Cobb and Keaton Winn, have been sidelined several times with various injuries.

Birdsong, a 2022 sixth-round pick, is one of the Giants’ top prospects. He started the season at Double-A Richmond where he went 4–2 with a 2.05 ERA. With a vast repertoire of pitches, Birdsong notched 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 for the River Cats, so he has the ability to go deep in games.

“The two starts he had with Triple-A were good,” Melvin said. “He can throw more than you would think a starter would throw as far as pitches go. Look, there’s some risk with a guy who had just been to Triple-A. He’s a young kid, he’s very talented.

Birdsong spent time with the Giants during spring training, so Melvin and the staff already knew him before watching his work in the minors.

“You watch his relievers, that’s real starter stuff and that’s talent,” Melvin said. “He’s young but it’s pretty exciting to think he’s going to get a chance to start, especially here at home.”

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