Position: RHP
Height: 6’2”
Weight: 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 10/11/1999
College: University of the Pacific
How Acquired: Draft 18th Round, 530th Overall, 2022
Bonus: $100,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2025
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
A college senior, Birdsong was mainly a reliever as a freshman, then the season was cut short in his sophomore year due to the pandemic. His junior season was lost entirely to Tommy John surgery. He returned as a starter for his senior year and had a 5.68 ERA and 1.38 WHIP. He struck out 37 and walked 19 in 44.1 IP. He throws in the low-90s, with a slider and change.
2022-23
After signing, Birdsong made four relief appearances in the FCL, with middling results. He spent 2023 pitching out of the Bradenton bullpen. The results were poor across the board. He had a 7.02 ERA with poor walk (5.4 BB/9) and K (7.7 K/9) rates. He struggled increasingly over the course of the season, with an ERA of 11.51 from July onward.
2024
Birdsong spent 2024 with Greensboro, apart from several weeks on the injured list early in the season and a 6-game rehab at Bradenton. Opponents batted .224 against him with the Hoppers, but his walk and strikeout rates weren’t good: 6.1 and 6.8 per nine innings, respectively. His ERA was 4.83.
Stats
Transactions
July 19, 2022: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 18th round, 530th overall pick; signed on July 26.