SAN FRANCISCO — Still missing several key pieces in their starting rotation, the Giants plan to call up rookie Hayden Bird Song to make his MLB debut on Wednesday.
Manager Bob Melvin made the announcement before Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park, saying the team has high hopes for the 22-year-old right-hander.
“We’re really excited about it,” Melvin said. “I think he’s going to have a long big league career. Maybe it’s coming, the start of it, a little earlier than we expected, with interest and perhaps the best out there. I think that is why the decision was made.
The Giants haven’t had a healthy rotation for several seasons. Reigns NL C Young Award winner Blake Snell and newcomer Robbie Ray were sidelined with injuries at different times, along with holders Alex Cobb and Keaton Wynn.
Birdsong, a 2022 sixth-round pick, is one of the Giants’ top prospects. He started the season at Double-A Richmond where he went 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA. In an extensive showing for the Petes, Birdsong recorded 61 strikeouts in 48 1/3 innings.
He was promoted to Triple-A Sacramento on June 15 and continued to impress, recording 14 strikeouts in nine innings in two starts. Birdsong threw 91 pitches in his last start with the River Cats, so he has the ability to get into games.
“His two starts with Triple-A were good,” Melvin said. “A rookie can throw up. Look, there’s some risk with a guy who’s been in Triple-A. He’s a young kid, he’s very talented.”
Birdsong spent time with the Giants during spring training, so Melvin and the staff were familiar with him before looking at his career in the minors.
“You look at his bullpen, he’s real starter stuff and he’s talented,” Melvin said. “He’s young but it’s exciting to think he’s going to get a chance to start, especially here at home.”
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