SF Giants minor league affiliate combine for historic pitching performance

The SF Giants have been fantastic at the major league level in 2023, but if you've been paying attention, the prospect pool for the Giants has been just as good, with many incredible performances making it hard to not get excited for the future of this organization.

SF Giants minor league affiliate combine for historic pitching performance

On Tuesday, that was on full display as the Eugene Emeralds, the High-A affiliate of the Giants combine to throw their first no-hitter as a team since back in 2015, taking four pitchers to secure the combined no-no.

Things got started with Hayden Birdsong, the Giants No. 26 overall prospect, who threw five innings for a total of 11 strikeouts, allowing just one baserunner in the form of a walk. The 21-year-old has been fantastic all season long in 2023, possessing a 2.91 ERA over 58.2 innings of work in A and A+ ball, and with so much potential, he's a name for Giants fans to keep a close eye on.

From that point, the Emeralds turned to three relievers in Mat Olsen, William Kempner and Sam Delaplane as they allowed just two more walks before finishing off the Tri-City Dust Devils by a score of 3-0.

Ultimately, the story of this one was the start from Birdsong, who appears to be quickly rising among Giants prospects, and at 21-year of age, he's got plenty of time to grow and develop, but he should be a name that continues to grow within the Giants prospect pool as the years roll on.

The Giants selected Birdsong in the sixth round of the 2022 draft out of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. He earned a quick promotion to High-A after posting a 2.16 ERA in 12 appearances in Low-A.

The right-hander flashed a four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90's with some armside run that he pairs with a changeup. He uses a slider at times and an occasional changeup. However, the curveball is his best pitch. That said, his control needs to improve to be able to stick as a starter.

The 2022 draft class has had a favorable debut season with the Giants organization. Both Wade Meckler and Carson Whisenhunt have already reached Double-A and Birdsong is not far behind.