Simple swap could turn SF Giants starting rotation back into a strength

The SF Giants entered 2025 thinking their starting rotation could be a strength. While the Giants have gotten plenty of good outings from their starting staff, one simple swap could take their rotation to the next level.

Thus far, Jordan Hicks has struggled as a starter in 2025. He is currently sporting an ERA of 6.59 through five starts and his last few outings have not been great. It is obviously still early, but it is hard not to think about the potential upgrade the Giants currently have in the bullpen.

Hayden Birdsong has been incredibly effective as a reliever this season. He has adjusted well to a bullpen role even though he is more comfortable as a starter. Manager Bob Melvin clearly has a lot of trust in him as evidenced by his most recent outing when the skipper let him finish the job in the 8th inning even though he had another reliever ready to go in the bullpen.

Simple role swap could make SF Giants rotation much stronger

Birdsong's ERA is at 1.38 on the season in 13 innings pitched. He has been a valuable weapon for Melvin coming out of the bullpen, but one cannot help but feel a promotion to the starting rotation is going to come at some point this season.

That is why promoting Birdsong to the rotation while moving Hicks to a bullpen role makes the most sense. Hicks has a lot of experience as a reliever so it would not be a major adjustment for him while Birdsong would be taking on a role that he is most comfortable with.

There is something to be said for exhibiting patience with a starting rotation early in the season. A manager does not want to have too quick of a trigger and shake the boat too drastically especially when a team is playing well like the Giants currently are.

It seems unlikely that Birdsong and Hicks swapping roles will happen right away. However, if current trends hold it will be harder and harder to limit Birdsong's innings to relief duties as it will start to feel as if they are wasting the young pitcher's potential.

For Hicks he will probably not love a demotion to the bullpen, but he definitely has the potential to either thrive in a relief role or potentially even earn his way back into the rotation if he can clean things up in relief outings.

It may seem a little early to make a change like this, but Birdsong has been good enough to warrant it especially if he continues to pitch as well as he already has. Perhaps the team's rotation will be truly elite if and when this swap is made at some point this season.