Hayden Birdsong pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park this week. Photo: Thearon Henderson/Getty Images
Hayden Birdsong made a splash in his MLB debut Wednesday — his fastball topped out at 98 mph — as the Giants beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3.
What they're saying: With his 6'4" frame and clean delivery, the 22-year-old "showed an ability to claw back, mixing his fastball with a changeup, slider and curve," sports commentator Alex Pavlovic wrote for NBC Bay Area.
Two of his five strikeouts during the game came with his changeup.
Why it matters: It's the kind of performance the Giants need as they look to rebound from injuries to pitchers Blake Snell, Kyle Harrison, Keaton Winn, Robbie Ray and Alex Cobb.
What to watch: Though Birdsong has flown relatively under the radar, he's got coaches singing his praises.
"The changeup is what's going to start setting him apart and make him a rotation piece throughout his career," Dan Runzler, a former Giants pitcher who now works with the organization's Low-A San Jose Giants, told the San Francisco Chronicle.
