Hayden Birdsong Bio
Hayden Birdsong is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Born on August 30, 2001, he played college baseball for the Eastern Illinois Panthers before the San Francisco Giants selected him in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. Birdsong made his major league debut in June 2024 and has emerged as a promising young arm in the Giants organization. Standing 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 215 pounds, the right-handed pitcher utilizes a four-pitch arsenal headlined by a mid-90s fastball.
Early Life and Background
Hayden Birdsong grew up in Mattoon, Illinois, where he attended Mattoon High School. During his junior year in 2019, Birdsong helped lead the Mattoon baseball team to the Apollo Conference Championship. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the All-Apollo Conference First Team, signaling his potential as a collegiate and professional prospect.
Following high school graduation, Birdsong began his college baseball career at Lake Land College in 2020. In his brief stint, he appeared in four games spanning 15 innings, recording 20 strikeouts before the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He then transferred to Eastern Illinois University to continue his development with the Panthers program.
Path to Professional Baseball
Birdsong’s collegiate career at Eastern Illinois showed gradual improvement. In his first season with the Panthers in 2021, he posted a 9.76 ERA across 27 and two-thirds innings. That summer, he gained additional experience playing for the Danville Dans in the Prospect League, where he recorded a 4.93 ERA in 18 appearances.
The 2022 season marked a significant breakthrough for Birdsong. Operating primarily as a bullpen arm, he led Eastern Illinois with a 3.35 ERA over 45 and two-thirds innings, compiling a 5-4 record with 66 strikeouts. His dominant conference performance earned him First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors, and he led the OVC with a 1.40 ERA in league games. Following the collegiate season, he pitched for the Lakeshore Chinooks in the Northwoods League, posting a 2-0 record with a 4.15 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 17 and one-third innings.
Hayden Birdsong Career
Minor League Development (2022–2023)
The San Francisco Giants selected Birdsong in the sixth round with the 196th overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He signed for an under-slot bonus of $187,500. In his first professional season, Birdsong split time between the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants and Single-A San Jose Giants, recording 23 strikeouts in 11 and two-thirds innings.
The 2023 season saw Birdsong advance rapidly through three minor league levels. He pitched for Low-A San Jose, High-A Eugene Emeralds, and Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, combining for a 2-5 record with a 3.31 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 100 and two-thirds innings. His 3.31 ERA ranked best among all Giants minor leaguers with at least 100 innings pitched. A standout performance came on July 4, 2023, when he threw five no-hit innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts as part of a combined no-hitter for Eugene against the Tri-City Dust Devils.
San Francisco Giants (2024–Present)
Birdsong began the 2024 season with Double-A Richmond and dominated, logging a 2.05 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 11 starts. This performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. On June 26, 2024, the Giants selected him to the 40-man roster and promoted him to the majors for the first time.
He made his MLB debut that same day at Oracle Park against the Chicago Cubs, allowing three runs in four and two-thirds innings. Birdsong finished his rookie season with 16 starts, posting a 5-6 record with a 4.75 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 72 innings pitched.
Entering 2025, Birdsong began the campaign in the Giants bullpen and posted a 2.31 ERA across his first 11 relief appearances. On May 20, 2025, he made his first start of the season against the Kansas City Royals, pitching five scoreless innings while allowing five hits, no walks, and striking out four to earn the win in a 3-2 Giants victory. However, he struggled in the starting role overall, recording a 6.17 ERA with 27 walks in 42 and one-third innings across 10 starts. The Giants optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento on July 22, 2025.
Driving Style and Strengths
Birdsong operates as a 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-handed pitcher who throws four distinct pitches. His primary weapon is a four-seam fastball that sits in the mid-90s, typically 93-97 mph, and has been clocked as high as 99 mph with riding and running action. His main off-speed pitch is an upper-70s to low-80s curveball with significant depth, considered his best bat-missing offering. He also features a mid-80s slider and a changeup. Originally developed as a starter by the Giants organization, he has demonstrated versatility by also pitching effectively from the bullpen.
Notable Events and Milestones
Birdsong’s professional career has included several milestone moments, most notably his MLB debut on June 26, 2024, at Oracle Park. His five-inning no-hit performance while at High-A Eugene on July 4, 2023, showcased his potential as a dominant starter. His rapid climb from Double-A to the majors in 2024 demonstrated the Giants’ confidence in his abilities.
Hayden Birdsong Career Wins
Through the 2025 season, Hayden Birdsong has compiled a 9-10 win-loss record in Major League Baseball with a 4.77 ERA and 156 strikeouts across his brief major league career. His minor league numbers showed promise, including a stellar 2023 campaign with 149 strikeouts in 100 and two-thirds innings across three levels.
MLB Highlights
Birdsong’s MLB career began in June 2024, and he finished that rookie season with a 5-6 record in 16 starts. He earned his first major league win on May 20, 2025, against the Kansas City Royals, pitching five scoreless innings in a 3-2 Giants victory. His career includes contributions both as a starter and reliever, demonstrating organizational flexibility.
Minor League Achievements
In the minors, Birdsong showed consistent improvement and dominance. His 2023 season across three levels resulted in 149 strikeouts, with his 3.31 ERA leading all Giants minor leaguers with at least 100 innings pitched. His combined no-hit performance in July 2023 remains one of his most impressive professional outings.
| Series | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2024–2025) | 9 | 10 | 4.77 | 156 |
Hayden Birdsong Family
Family Background
Hayden Birdsong was born to parents Stacey and Paula Birdsong. His family has supported his baseball career throughout his journey, attending key moments including his 2024 MLB debut at Oracle Park. He has a sister named Hayley who also shared in that special day.
Personal Life
Birdsong remains focused on his development as a professional pitcher. His parents, Stacey and Paula, along with his sister Hayley, traveled to San Francisco to witness his major league debut against the Chicago Cubs in June 2024.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transition and challenge for Birdsong. He opened the year in the Giants bullpen, where he found early success with a 2.31 ERA across 11 relief appearances. The organization moved him into the starting rotation, and he recorded his first win of the season on May 20 against the Kansas City Royals with five scoreless innings.
However, the starting role proved difficult as Birdsong struggled with control issues, posting a 6.17 ERA with 27 walks in 42 and one-third innings across 10 starts. The Giants optioned him to Triple-A Sacramento on July 22, 2025, to work on his craft and potentially return as a bullpen option. Despite the challenges, his mid-season debut performance showed his potential as a starter when command is sharp.