Video shows Justin Verlander is already embracing mentor role with SF Giants

When the SF Giants first signed veteran pitcher Justin Verlander, many lauded the move because at the very least he would serve as a mentor figure for young pitchers on the team. It seems Verlander is already embracing that role.

On the team's Instagram page, they posted videos of Verlander giving pitching advice to young Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong as the 23-year-old threw a bullpen session. The videos can be watched here.

Verlander embraces mentor role with SF Giants by giving advice to Hayden Birdsong

In the videos, Verlander can be heard giving words of wisdom and encouragement to the young Birdsong. After the first pitch Birdsong throws, Verlander says, "That's a good miss." After the second pitch which Birdsong clearly was not thrilled with, Verlander says,"Not quite that far. You're like a ball off." After the final pitch, Verlander says, "That's beautiful man."

It is great to see Verlander be this involved with a young pitcher like Birdsong. The 41-year-old Verlander has such a wealth of knowledge to draw from that anything he can pass on to a promising young arm like Birdsong will do nothing but benefit him in the long run.

It would be easy for a future Hall-of-Famer like Verlander to just do his own thing and not really concern himself with young pitchers. The fact that he already seems to be embracing his role as a mentor figure is a great sign.

Last season in his rookie year, Birdsong had an ERA of 4.75 in 16 starts and 72 innings pitched. He also struck out 88 batters in those 72 innings, showing that he has the raw stuff to compete at the big league level. Birdsong is going to be competing with another young pitcher, Kyle Harrison, for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.

As for Verlander, the Giants are clearly hoping that he will be more than just a mentor figure. Even though Verlander struggled last season due to injury, posting a 5.48 ERA, he is just two years removed from having a 3.22 ERA in 27 starts during the 2023 season. If the Giants were able to get production approaching anything like that, they would surely be thrilled.

Yet, even if Verlander is not on the mound as much as would be ideal, the fact that he will still be there as a sounding board for young pitchers like Birdsong, Harrison, and Jordan Hicks could pay dividends for years to come for the Giants.