Hayden Birdsong – San Francisco Giants Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Hayden Birdsong has become one of the more interesting young pitchers in the San Francisco Giants organization lately. Born August 30, 2001, in Mattoon, Illinois, Birdsong started his journey to the majors when the Giants picked him in the 6th round (196th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Eastern Illinois University.

He moved through the minors fast and caught the eye of scouts and analysts everywhere.

Birdsong is playing under a one-year, $765,000 contract with the San Francisco Giants for the 2025 season, which is his pre-arbitration salary as a young player still finding his place in the majors. He earned $740,000 as a rookie in 2024, so the new deal is a standard bump for a promising young MLB talent.

The Giants added him to their 40-man roster, which shows they believe in his upside.

Even though his pro career is just getting started, Birdsong has already flashed some real promise with his pitching. He wears number 60, and since the Giants called him up from the Sacramento River Cats, he’s started making his presence felt.

Fans and the organization will definitely keep a close eye on his progress as he tries to lock down a spot in San Francisco’s pitching staff.

Early Life and Background

Hayden Birdsong’s path to professional baseball started in Mattoon, Illinois. His early years and education set the stage for his future in Major League Baseball.

Family and Hometown

Hayden Birdsong was born on August 30, 2001, in Mattoon, Illinois, a small city in central Illinois that’s always had a thing for baseball.

Growing up in the Midwest, he got the classic American baseball experience—summer leagues and high school games are just part of life there.

His family helped shape his athletic abilities from the start. There’s not a ton of public info about his parents, but it’s pretty clear they played a big role in his development.

The Birdsong family probably spent a lot of time at games and practices, supporting him every step of the way.

Mattoon, with about 18,000 people, is the kind of place where a talented kid can become a local hero as he grows up.

Education

Birdsong went to Eastern Illinois University, where he kept up with his studies and kept working on his pitching.

At Eastern Illinois, he balanced academics and baseball, which isn’t always easy for future pros.

During his college years, Birdsong really started to stand out. Scouts noticed his progress, and his performance put him on the radar for the 2022 MLB Draft.

His time at the university gave him a chance to compete against tough opponents from all over the country. That kind of experience helped get him ready for pro ball.

Youth Sports and Influences

Before college, Birdsong played in a bunch of youth baseball programs. Those early years shaped him as a pitcher.

He probably had some big games in high school that got him noticed by colleges and recruiters.

Local coaches and mentors in Illinois helped him develop his pitching style and mental toughness. Those early instructors make a huge difference for young pitchers.

Growing up, Birdsong likely watched and studied Major League pitchers he admired. He might not be from Mississippi, but his path—youth leagues to high school to college to the San Francisco Giants—is the classic baseball dream.

Professional Baseball Career

Hayden Birdsong has moved up the baseball ladder quickly since the Giants drafted him in 2022. He’s gone from college standout to pro pitcher, and he’s become one of the more promising young arms in baseball.

Draft and Minor League Journey

The San Francisco Giants drafted Birdsong in the 6th round (196th overall) of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Eastern Illinois University.

He’s a righty from Mattoon, Illinois, and he quickly made a name for himself in the Giants’ farm system.

After signing, Birdsong started his pro career in the minors and worked his way through the Giants’ pipeline. His fastball and improving secondary pitches helped him stand out.

The Giants’ development staff spent a lot of time helping Birdsong refine his mechanics and add to his pitch mix. They got him ready for the challenges of the big leagues.

MLB Debut and Teams

Birdsong made it to the majors with the San Francisco Giants, where he rocks number 60.

Born in 2001, he’s part of the Giants’ youth movement on the pitching staff.

His MLB debut gave fans a look at why the organization valued him so much. Like most young pitchers, he’s had to adjust to the highest level of competition.

The Giants have managed his workload carefully, trying to balance what the team needs now with his long-term growth. As he gets more experience, his role with the team keeps evolving.

Career Highlights

Even though he’s just starting out, Birdsong has already shown flashes of the talent that got him to the Giants’ roster.

He signed a one-year, $765,000 contract with the Giants for the 2025 season. That’s a typical pre-arbitration deal for a young major leaguer.

Birdsong has started building his MLB resume, facing some of the best hitters in the game. His outings against division rivals have stood out as he gets used to the big leagues.

The Giants coaching staff often mentions his work ethic and willingness to adjust as he grows into his major league career.

Hayden Birdsong’s Contracts and Earnings

Hayden Birdsong’s financial story in pro baseball started when the Giants drafted him. His contract situation follows the usual path for a young pitcher working his way up from the minors.

Rookie Contract Details

The San Francisco Giants picked Hayden Birdsong in the 2023 MLB Draft. For his draft slot, the recommended signing bonus was about $251,100.

His first contract had the standard setup for new pros.

The 6-foot-4 righty from Eastern Illinois signed a rookie deal with typical minor league terms. That usually means:

• A base minor league salary (somewhere between $4,800 and $15,000 a month, depending on the level)
• A signing bonus paid upfront
• Housing and meal allowances during the season
• Incentives for moving up the system quickly

MLB’s central office would have filed and approved his contract through the usual process.

Recent Agreements and Extensions

Birdsong’s quick climb through the Giants’ farm system paid off when the Giants selected his contract from the Sacramento River Cats on June 26, 2024.

This call-up to the big leagues meant a big financial boost from minor league pay.

Once he joined the 40-man roster, Birdsong started receiving:

• The MLB minimum salary (prorated for his time in the majors)
• Access to the MLB pension plan
• Better travel and per diems
• Service time toward arbitration eligibility

Since he’s still a rookie, Birdsong hasn’t reached arbitration or free agency yet. The Giants still control his contract with the usual renewal terms for pre-arbitration players.

Bonuses, Incentives, and Investments

Birdsong’s exact incentives aren’t out there for the public, but young pitchers usually have performance bonuses for:

• Innings pitched
• Games started
• All-Star nods
• Awards votes
• Playoff appearances

Since he’s still new to the majors, Birdsong probably plays it safe with his investments. Most young players stick with things like:

• Certificates of deposit and money markets
• Low-cost index funds
• Municipal bonds for tax perks

Rookie contracts often have deferred payment options, so part of the signing bonus can be invested for the future. That helps young players manage sudden income and build security.

Representation and Legal Matters

Like most pros, Birdsong has an agent or agency handling his contracts, endorsements, and legal stuff. His agent would’ve helped negotiate his draft bonus and contract terms.

Standard contracts cover things like:

• Injury protection
• Arbitration
• Option years and assignments
• Termination rules
• Benefits and insurance for after baseball

The Giants keep player contract details private except for what MLB requires. Both MLB’s legal team and the Players Association check every contract for compliance with the rules.

As Birdsong keeps developing, his earning potential could jump a lot—especially if he performs and reaches arbitration or free agency down the road.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Hayden Birdsong’s financial situation reflects where he’s at: a rising MLB player trying to carve out his place with the San Francisco Giants. His rookie contract is the core of his financial setup, though there’s not much public info on his other assets yet.

Estimated Net Worth

As a new face in the majors, Birdsong’s net worth mostly comes from his MLB contract.

He signed a one-year deal with the Giants for $765,000, which is fully guaranteed and marks his average annual salary.

That puts him at the lower end of MLB salaries, which is pretty normal for rookie pitchers. He doesn’t have the big multi-contract wealth that veterans do—at least, not yet.

His contract is the bulk of what’s known about his assets, but if he keeps performing, endorsement deals could pop up soon.

Assets and Property Holdings

There’s not much public info about Birdsong’s property or real estate. Most young players don’t buy big houses right away; they usually rent, especially with all the uncertainty in early careers.

There aren’t any records of him owning property in Mattoon or the San Francisco Bay Area.

Renting makes sense for players who might get traded or moved around. It’s a practical move until things settle down.

Financial Statements and Investments

Birdsong’s financial statements and investments are private, like most people’s. Born in 2001, he’s part of a younger generation that often approaches money a bit differently than past MLB players.

A lot of rookies now work with financial advisors who specialize in athletes. They help set up retirement accounts, investments, and tax strategies early on.

The MLB pension and benefits programs provide extra security for players once they get some service time.

Most young players stick to conservative investments focused on long-term growth, rather than risky bets.

Personal Life and Public Image

Off the mound, Hayden Birdsong keeps things pretty private. He’s still building his reputation in the baseball world, connecting with teammates and getting involved in the community bit by bit.

Notable Relationships

Birdsong hasn’t shared much about his personal life since he started playing pro baseball. You’ll occasionally spot his girlfriend, Bobbi Bydalek, in a few social media posts, but both of them seem to prefer keeping things pretty low-key—definitely more private than a lot of athletes out there.

They first crossed paths back at Eastern Illinois University. That’s where Birdsong really started to hone his pitching before the San Francisco Giants drafted him in 2022.

Family means a lot to Birdsong. He often thanks his parents for backing him every step of the way, from his hometown in Mattoon, Illinois, all the way to the big leagues.

Community Involvement

After joining the Giants, Birdsong jumped into several team community events, especially ones that support youth baseball.

He’s teamed up with the Giants Community Fund and helped run baseball clinics for underprivileged kids around the Bay Area.

Teammates say Birdsong gives his time generously. He’ll stick around after events, signing extra autographs for young fans—no fuss, just genuine.

That commitment to giving back? It really comes from his roots in small-town Illinois. He still heads home in the off-season to help out with local charities and community projects.

Media Coverage

Birdsong started grabbing a lot more media attention after he made his MLB debut on June 26, 2024. Baseball analysts pointed out how smoothly he moved from being a minor league prospect to pitching in the majors—pretty impressive, honestly.

Yahoo Sports ran a profile on him that dug into his unusual journey to the big leagues. They even included some thoughts from the Bydalek family, who talked about his determination and work ethic back when he was still developing.

Unlike a lot of players these days, Birdsong keeps his social media activity pretty low-key. He seems to prefer letting his pitching do the talking instead of chasing a big online following.

Sports journalists have picked up on his calm attitude during post-game interviews. No matter how the game goes, he comes across as mature—maybe even a bit older than his years.