Subtle change could be paying huge dividends for young SF Giants pitcher

Young SF Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong continues to flash electric stuff in the Cactus League. However, the number that stands out is zero walks through 12 innings, which could be due to a subtle change on the mound.

Subtle change could be paying huge dividends for young SF Giants pitcher

Spring training is a fun time to experiment with new pitches or grips, swing mechanics, and even adjustments to deliveries. It is also a great time for players to show up in the best shape of their lives, as is so often proclaimed early in camp. They say spring training does not truly begin until pitchers and catchers report, but the true starting point is when a player proclaims that they have never been in better shape. Anyways, I digress.

When the Giants signed Justin Verlander, they knew he might be able to help them on the mound and as a mentor. His role as a mentor could pay huge dividends down the road, not unlike how Randy Johnson influenced Matt Cain, Tim Lincecum, and Madison Bumgarner in 2009.

As Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area notes, Verlander along with J.P. Martinez suggested that Birdsong move toward the third base side of the mound. This was done to make the slider a more effective pitch. You can see the change here.

The young righty's slider was already a tough pitch to hit. Opposing hitters tallied a .244 batting average against it in 2024. If you like expected stats, hitters recorded a .184 expected batting average against it, meaning that the contact he allowed from that pitch found more holes in the defense than expected.

Could there be another byproduct from this change? Birdsong's control was an area that he struggled with even against younger and more aggressive hitters in the lower minors. That trend continued as he reached the majors last season.

The 23-year-old pitcher recorded 88 strikeouts and 43 walks in 72 frames with the Giants. The strikeout numbers were very encouraging, but the walk totals left something to be desired. Stuff and velocity are not an issue with Birdsong, but control would be what limits his ceiling.

The second-year pitcher has not issued a walk in 12 innings this spring. He is also only averaging 13.75 pitches per inning, meaning he is getting out of the inning relatively efficiently. I do not put much weight into spring training stats, but there is a process here that is promising. Will this carry over into the regular season? That remains to be seen, but the Giants have to be encouraged by what they have seen from Birdsong thus far.