A Promising Talent in the Bullpen

The San Francisco Giants have discovered a significant asset in their bullpen in the form of pitcher Hayden Birdsong. His development as a player has been marked by the introduction of one standout pitch that has the potential to establish him as a key figure in the Major League Baseball landscape.

Innovative Pitching Techniques

Birdsong has gained attention for being one of the first players to adopt the kick-change grip for his changeup. This innovative grip has already yielded impressive results, enhancing his effectiveness on the mound.

In a recent interview with MLB, Birdsong shared an intriguing backstory about how he discovered this technique. “Literally I watched a video, it was last spring training, on TikTok. I could throw a changeup at the time. It was not good, just really a bad fastball. Started to mess around with grips, found that grip. I was like let’s throw it,” he stated. This revelation illustrates how modern players are leveraging social media to enhance their skills.

Emerging Trends in Pitching

The kick-change grip is rapidly gaining momentum in baseball, reminiscent of the earlier popularity of the sweeper pitch. More players are experimenting with and incorporating this style, and Birdsong stands at the forefront of this new wave.

Currently, Birdsong’s pitch repertoire includes his effective kick-change and a cutter, though he has relied less on the cutter in his recent outings. The flexibility to tweak pitch selection is vital, and it’s possible that his cutter may return to prominence as the season progresses.

Statistical Performance and Prospects

Initially, the kick-change pitch was not fully utilized until Birdsong reached the professional level. In 2024, he employed this pitch just 4.2% of the time during his stint in Triple-A, but this figure jumped significantly to 18.2% in the Major Leagues, reflecting his confidence in the new grip.

The effectiveness of his kick-change is highlighted by its Stuff+ rating of 118, which ranks it among the top ten changeups in the league. Players like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal are also recognized for their strong changeups, placing Birdsong in good company regarding performance metrics.

Current Seasons and Future Outlook

Birdsong’s Pitching+ statistics demonstrate overall improvement this season. While he did not secure a spot in the starting rotation during spring training, his consistent performance could soon change that trajectory. Through his first three appearances, he has managed to pitch seven scoreless innings with a WHIP of 1.143. Although his strikeout rate has dipped slightly to 7.7 K/9, this is likely a reflection of the small sample size.

During spring training, Birdsong showcased exceptional control, yielding only one run over 12 innings and achieving an impressive K/9 of 13.5. Given his trajectory in 2025, he has positioned himself as a strong candidate should a spot open up in the starting rotation, with his abilities suggesting he could transition from reliever to starter soon.