SF Giants rookie pitcher making strong first impression with the team

With the current state of the starting rotation for the SF Giants, they have had to get creative to fill innings. They called up rookie Hayden Birdsong to start two games and he has looked very impressive thus far.

SF Giants rookie pitcher making strong first impression with the team

The Giants have had to scramble with their pitching staff this season. The injuries to their starting staff, including Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn, and Blake Snell, has put a ton of pressure on starters Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks to go deep into games and eat up innings. It has also placed a lot of pressure on the bullpen to eat up innings as well.

The Giants called up the 22-year old Birdsong, likely ahead of schedule, to try to relieve some of this pressure by giving them a guy who could at least get the team through 4 or 5 innings. That is exactly what he has done in his two starts thus far and it has been incredibly impressive to watch.

Birdsong pitched 4 and 2/3 innings in his first career start against the Cubs last week. He was one out away from going 5 innings which would have qualified him for the win, but he gave up a solo home run before he could do so.

In his second career start against the Atlanta Braves and their dangerous offense, he was able to go 5 innings and only allowed 2 earned runs which did qualify him for the win. He also had to pitch through traffic in his 5th innings of work and escaped the inning unscathed. This was a big test for the young rookie and he handled the adversity well.

The Giants are going to need him to continue and build upon these strong showings. The Giants are set to get Snell and Harrison back as well as Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray behind them. He may get sent down to make room, but it would surprise no one to see him back especially if he turns in a. few more quality starts before any of those pitchers return.

The Giants have needed quality innings as of late and Birdsong has been able to provide them in his two starts. He has made a strong first impression but it remains to be seen if he will be able to build upon it going forward.