Hayden Birdsong Bio
Hayden Birdsong is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Eastern Illinois Panthers and made his MLB debut in 2024. Known for his impressive pitching skills, Birdsong has quickly made a name for himself in the league since being drafted in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Born on August 30, 2001, Hayden Birdsong grew up in the United States. He attended Mattoon High School in Mattoon, Illinois, where he first showcased his talent for baseball. During his junior year in 2019, Birdsong played a pivotal role in helping Mattoon win the Apollo Conference Championship, earning a spot on the All-Apollo Conference First Team. Following high school, he played one season at Lake Land College in 2020, where he had a challenging start but demonstrated his potential by striking out 20 batters in 15 innings. The COVID-19 pandemic cut his season short, but it did not deter his ambitions. Birdsong transferred to Eastern Illinois University to continue his collegiate baseball career, where he further honed his skills.
Path to Baseball
At Eastern Illinois University, Birdsong’s performance improved significantly. In 2021, he posted a 9.76 earned run average (ERA) over 27.2 innings. That summer, he played for the Danville Dans in the Prospect League, where he recorded a 4.93 ERA in 18 appearances. His breakthrough came in 2022, when he pitched primarily out of the bullpen, leading his team with a 3.35 ERA over 45.2 innings and earning a 5–4 record with 66 strikeouts. His impressive performance earned him a spot on the First Team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). Birdsong also excelled in the Northwoods League, pitching for the Lakeshore Chinooks before entering the MLB draft.
Hayden Birdsong Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Hayden Birdsong was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the sixth round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, selected 196th overall. He signed with the Giants for an under-slot bonus of $187,500. Birdsong spent his first professional season with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants and Single-A San Jose Giants, where he struck out 23 batters in 11.2 innings. In 2023, he pitched across three levels, including Low-A San Jose, High-A Eugene Emeralds, and Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, achieving a combined record of 2–5 with a 3.31 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 100.2 innings. His performance ranked him as the best among Giants minor leaguers with at least 100 innings pitched, and he notably threw five no-hit innings with a career-high 11 strikeouts in a combined no-hitter against the Tri-City Dust Devils.
Breakthrough (2024)
Birdsong began the 2024 season with Double-A Richmond before being promoted to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats after logging a 2.05 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 11 starts. On June 26, 2024, he was selected to the Giants’ 40-man roster and made his major league debut at Oracle Park against the Chicago Cubs, where he allowed three runs in 4.2 innings. He finished his rookie season with 16 starts, a 5–6 record, and a 4.75 ERA, striking out 88 batters in 72 innings pitched.
Notable Works and Milestones
Birdsong’s signature work includes his impressive debut season with the San Francisco Giants, where he showcased his potential as a starting pitcher. His ability to strike out batters and maintain a competitive ERA has marked him as a rising star in the league.
Hayden Birdsong Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Hayden Birdsong has yet to receive any formal award nominations, as he is still in the early stages of his professional baseball journey.
Hayden Birdsong Awards Won
As of now, Hayden Birdsong has not won any awards, given his recent entry into Major League Baseball.
Hayden Birdsong Family
Hayden Birdsong is the son of Stacey and Paula Birdsong. His family has been supportive of his baseball career, attending his games and celebrating his achievements.
Personal Life
Birdsong’s parents, Stacey and Paula, along with his sister Hayley, were present at his MLB debut in 2024, highlighting the close-knit nature of his family. He maintains a focus on his career while cherishing the support from his loved ones.