Young SF Giants pitcher reveals unique grip behind devastating new pitch

SF Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong has gotten off to a phenomenal start this season. Even though he lost out to Landen Roupp for the fifth spot in the rotation, he has thrived out of the bullpen thanks in large part to a filthy new pitch.

In a recent video on social media, Birdsong talked about his new changeup and the unique grip he uses for it to give it more movement. It is technically a "kick-change" because he grips the ball with his middle finger on the axis of the ball to give it more more movement. He is 23 years old so he learned the pitch, of course, on TikTok.

SF Giants pitcher Birdsong shows unique grip for his changeup

He has thrown the pitch 20 times this season and it has been effective for him. He has struck out two batters using it and has a 62.5 percent whiff rate on the pitch so hitters are having a tough time picking it up so far. It is quickly becoming an important part of his repertoire which also includes a high-90's fastball along with a slider and curveball.

While Birdsong certainly has the raw stuff to be an effective starter, he has looked incredibly comfortable coming out of the bullpen for San Francisco. In four outings and nine innings pitched, Birdsong has yet to give up a run and has allowed five hits and three walks while striking out nine batters.

He has also gone two innings or more in each of his appearances which has given manager Bob Melvin a sort of super-reliever to rely upon in the late innings especially if other bullpen arms need a rest. Melvin spoke recently about how he feels comfortable using Birdsong in high-leverage spots which is exactly how he used him in Sunday's win against the New York Yankees. Birdsong pitched the 6th and 7th even after the Giants took the lead before handing things over to Tyler Rogers in the 8th and Ryan Walker in the 9th.

It speaks to Birdsong's maturity and adaptability that he has been able to succeed in this new role despite the fact that it is somewhat foreign to him. He certainly figures to be a fixture of the rotation at some point in the future. Who knows, his chance may come sooner rather than later with how he is throwing the ball right now.

For the time being though, he is doing a phenomenal job out of the bullpen and his filthy changeup is playing a big role is allowing him to succeed and fool opposing hitters.