Young SF Giants starter may be pitching his way out of the rotation

While the SF Giants consider their pitching staff a strength, it is clear they have a weak link in the starting rotation. Hayden Birdsong's recent struggles could lead the Giants to make some sort of shakeup to their rotation.

On the season, Birdsong has a 3-3 record with a 4.30 ERA in 19 games, eight of which have been starts, and 60 and 2/3 innings pitched. He began the season in the bullpen and pitched so well as a reliever that he earned a chance in the starting rotation after Jordan Hicks struggled.

SF Giants may need to shake up rotation with Hayden Birdsong's struggles

Birdsong looked good in his first start and seemed like he was establishing himself as a fixture in the rotation. Yet, in his last seven starts he has an ugly 6.40 ERA in 32 and 1/3 innings. He has also surrendered 18 walks across those seven starts which is too many free passes.

The 23-year-old took another loss on Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He gave up four runs, three of them earned, in four innings of work while striking out six, walking four, and surrendering three hits.

Birdsong said that he has been baffled by his struggles as of late. It is important to remember that he is still so young and he is still learning at the big league level. Patrick Bailey has said he has some of the best raw stuff in the game, but he is still figuring out how to refine that raw talent and control it.

The Giants will probably give Birdsong a little more leash in the rotation because they do not have any great alternatives. After the Giants traded away Kyle Harrison and Jordan Hicks in the Rafael Devers deal, their starting pitching depth is not what it once was.

Now, they do have Carson Seymour on the big league roster so he could be someone the Giants plug into the rotation if Birdsong's struggles continue. Tristan Beck is an option in the minors as a guy who has experience starting games in the past. Top pitching prospect Carson Whisenhunt may be a little further off from his big league debut, but if he starts to pitch better he could be another option.

Right now, the offense is the largest concern for San Francisco. Yet, if the struggles continue for Birdsong the Giants may be left with no other choice than to try out someone else in the starting rotation.