Early Impressions of the Giants’ Young Pitchers
At the MLB Winter Meetings in December, Giants legend Buster Posey expressed his strong confidence in the team’s young pitching, a sentiment echoed by the organization after Justin Verlander’s signing and throughout the early days of spring training in Scottsdale. Through the first couple of weeks of Cactus League games, the Giants’ faith in their young arms has been well-justified. Kyle Harrison made a strong spring debut, throwing two scoreless innings, followed by Hayden Birdsong, who also managed two scoreless innings. Landen Roupp has been particularly impressive, and the trio has combined to allow just one run and seven hits in 11 innings while striking out 17 batters.
The Battle for the Fifth Spot
The competition for the fifth starting spot is intense, and the Giants will have to decide who fills the role by the end of camp. Harrison, Birdsong, and Roupp have each shown their potential, and the decision of who stays in the starting rotation and who transitions to the bullpen or Triple-A is a crucial one. Regardless of the outcome, all three pitchers are expected to play significant roles in the 2025 season. The Giants had nine different players make at least seven starts last season, including Jordan Hicks and Erik Miller, who alternated between starting and relief roles. Manager Bob Melvin plans to avoid using openers this year, so the gaps in the rotation will be filled by the young pitchers who don’t secure a spot this spring, along with others like Carson Whisenhunt, Carson Ragsdale, Carson Seymour, and Mason Black.
Kyle Harrison: Finding His Footing
Kyle Harrison, a left-hander, had a 4.56 ERA and 4.33 FIP as a rookie, with much better numbers before he injured his ankle. The Giants, lacking depth, rushed him back without a rehab assignment, which led to a shoulder inflammation and a dip in his velocity. Harrison’s fastball, his best pitch, is considered one of the best in the game when it’s on. Despite the challenges, he managed to keep the Giants in every game he pitched, even without his best stuff. To take the next step, Harrison needs his fastball to return to its full strength. As catcher Patrick Bailey noted, "Velocity is king. You’re able to be not as perfect, not as fine with your pitches, and you’re able to throw more strikes."
Hayden Birdsong: Mastering Control
Hayden Birdsong, a right-hander, has shown flashes of brilliance, flirting with 99 mph in his first spring outing. He struck out 88 batters in 72 innings as a rookie, including a memorable 12-strikeout performance at Coors Field and 11 in just 4 1/3 innings on the final day of the season. However, he also walked 43 batters, and reducing that rate is critical for his development. According to Bailey, Birdsong’s path to the next level is about "how many strikes he can throw." Birdsong’s stuff is among the best in the game, and his ability to get the best hitters to look silly is undeniable. The key is maintaining his competitive edge and throwing more competitive pitches.
Landen Roupp: Building on Success
Landen Roupp has been a standout in spring training, allowing just one hit, one walk, and striking out eight in five innings. His performance this spring mirrors his excellent showing last spring, which led to him joining the Opening Day bullpen. Roupp’s role this season is uncertain, as his effectiveness out of the bullpen means the Giants may need to manage his innings by moving him to relief at some point. Bailey believes Roupp’s success is real and should be built upon. Roupp’s curveball, which he threw 44 percent of the time, is one of the best in the game, and his developing changeup, which held hitters to a .111 average in a small sample last year, has been a revelation in camp. Bailey noted, "The changeup has been awesome. He’s thrown a couple right-on-right in live BPs and hitters have looked back like, ‘He’s not supposed to throw that one to us.’ I think he’s really confident in that."
The Path Forward for 2025
The Giants’ young pitchers are not just hopeful additions for the future; they are essential to the team’s success in 2025. Posey and the organization see the potential in Harrison, Birdsong, and Roupp, and their development will be crucial in helping the team exceed expectations. Harrison’s return to full velocity, Birdsong’s improved control, and Roupp’s expanded arsenal are all key to their progress. As the season approaches, the focus will be on refining their pitches and building the consistency needed to take the next step. The Giants’ deep talent pool and strong support system position them well to see their young stars shine brightly in the coming year.
