Hayden Birdsong, RHP
DOB: 8/30/2001
BATS: R  /  THROWS: R
ACQUIRED: Drafted 2022, 6th Round
LAST LEVEL: Low-A
VOLATILITY: High

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GiantFutures 2023 Ranks: #10 Relief Pitcher

2022 Performance: After getting drafted in the 6th round in the mid-July draft, Hayden Birdsong made his pro debut nearly a month later on August 13th.  In four games at the ACL, Birdsong had a 1.59 ERA with 12 strikeouts to 0 walks in 5.2 innings, with just two hits allowed.  In three games at San Jose, Birdsong had a 4.50 ERA with 11 strikeouts to three walks in 6.0 innings, though with eight hits allowed.

Before getting drafted, Birdsong had pitched for Eastern Illinois, posting a 3.35 ERA over 20 games, two starts, and had struck out 66 batters to 21 walks in 45.2 innings.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Birdsong is a big dude, at 6’4” and listed at 200 pounds, and his arm strength matches, with his fastball at 93-96 MPH.  His second pitch is a curveball that hits the upper-70s.  He has two other pitches, a slider and a low-80’s changeup, but neither are considered even average pitches at this point.

Birdsong’s early returns are the definition of small sample size, but comes out of college with a reputation for below-average control.  However, with his fastball and curveball, he has more than enough stuff to get strikeouts, as his small sample size did show.

2023 Outlook: San Jose seems likely for Birdsong, as the team sees how his pitches and control hold up over a full season.  If he continues to get strikeouts like he did in 2022, he could move quickly, though.

Future Profile: Birdsong caught a lot of eyes with that 12:0 K:BB ratio in the ACL, but that’s not something to count on in the future.  Birdsong is still very raw, as was his competition.  It’s easy to look at his big frame and room to grow when it comes to velocity, control, and compliment of pitches, and think of Birdsong as a late-inning reliever down the line, but he is probably more likely to be more of a mid-bullpen guy until his control gets better, albeit as a strikeout collector.