On Tuesday, the San Francisco Giants shook up their roster, hoping to steady their pitching staff. They optioned pitchers Hayden Birdsong and Tristan Beck to Triple-A Sacramento, bringing up Carson Seymour and Sean Hjelle instead.
This change comes as the Giants’ rotation has struggled with inconsistency from its stars and a lack of depth. With the MLB trade deadline getting closer, the Giants seem desperate for answers and maybe a little luck from within.
Birdsong’s Struggles: An Unraveling Season
Hayden Birdsong’s demotion really says a lot about the Giants’ pitching troubles. Once considered an unconventional success, Birdsong’s quick rise to the majors has hit a rough patch.
His latest start was a mess—he faced six batters, walked four, gave up a double, and even hit a guy. Command wasn’t just off; it was falling apart. Some of his pitches missed the strike zone by so much, you wondered if he’d lost his grip entirely.
The coaching staff just couldn’t look past the control issues anymore.
An Unlikely Ride to the Big Leagues
Birdsong’s path to the majors has never been typical. He struggled in college, then suddenly surged and landed a big-league spot.
But he still can’t reliably hit his spots. Maybe calling him up was a risk worth taking earlier in the season, but lately, it just hasn’t worked out.
Sending him back to Sacramento feels like the team’s way of telling him to regroup and figure things out before he gets another shot.
The New Faces: Carson Seymour and Sean Hjelle
With Birdsong and Beck out, the Giants are turning to Carson Seymour and Sean Hjelle. They each bring something different, and right now, the team needs all the help it can get.
Hjelle is likely to fill a long-relief role, which matters a lot after the bullpen’s recent heavy workload.
Carson Seymour’s Role in the Rotation
Carson Seymour is a bit of a wild card. He’s mostly started games for Triple-A Sacramento, but lately, he’s been used out of the bullpen too.
With Birdsong’s control gone and the rotation in chaos, the Giants seem ready to see if Seymour can handle a starting job. If he steps up, maybe he can help steady things before they really spiral.
The Giants’ Rotation: A Shadow of Its Former Self
At the start of the season, the Giants’ rotation looked like a strength, with names like Logan Webb, Robbie Ray, and Justin Verlander leading the way. But the results haven’t matched the hype.
Webb and Ray, both recent All-Stars, have hit rough patches. Verlander, who’s supposed to be a lock for the Hall of Fame, has had a nightmare season—no wins in 16 starts and a 4.99 ERA. Nobody saw that coming, and now the Giants are scrambling.
Urgency Ahead of the Trade Deadline
Even with all these internal moves, the Giants might need to look outside the organization as the trade deadline approaches. Their postseason hopes are hanging by a thread, and picking up a reliable starter—or maybe even a true ace—could be the difference.
They’ll see what Seymour and Hjelle can do, but you have to think the front office is already eyeing some backup plans.
A Waiting Game for Birdsong
Hayden Birdsong’s recent demotion might actually work in his favor. With some extra time in Triple-A, the 23-year-old can focus on fixing his control issues and settling down a bit.
This stint in the minors could give him the space to sharpen his skills. If he figures things out, maybe he’ll be ready for the majors soon enough.
The Giants are taking things day by day right now. They’re making tactical choices just to get through the current rough patch.
Seymour’s getting a shot in the starting rotation, while Hjelle’s back in the bullpen. The team’s hoping their own guys can step up and keep things afloat.
With the trade deadline creeping up and the rotation still shaky, who knows? These changes might just be the start of something bigger for 2025.
Here is the source article for this story: Giants demote Hayden Birdsong, Tristan Beck and call up Carson Seymour, Sean Hjelle
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