The San Francisco Giants have officially transitioned right-hander Jordan Hicks to a bullpen role, replacing him in the starting rotation with fellow right-hander Hayden Birdsong. The change was first reported by Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle and later confirmed by manager Bob Melvin. Birdsong is set to start against the Kansas City Royals on May 20.
This decision comes on the heels of Hicks’s disappointing performance against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he surrendered five runs in just two innings, inflating his season ERA to 6.55. Although Hicks has demonstrated some strong underlying metrics, including a solid ground ball rate of 57.4%, his high .362 batting average on balls in play (BABIP) and low 56.7% strand rate have contributed to his struggles this season.
While Hicks’s overall statistics suggest potential with a FIP of 3.48 and a SIERA of 3.74, his current performance has been lacking, leading to his position as the worst qualified starter in MLB by ERA. This trend appears to date back to the previous season, when he finished with a troubling 8.18 ERA in his final five starts.
Birdsong, who had a solid rookie season with a 4.75 ERA, has shown promise this year, boasting a 2.31 ERA and a 24.8% strikeout rate over 23 1/3 innings. His numbers, along with those of up-and-coming pitcher Kyle Harrison, who has also showcased impressive stats in limited appearances, suggest that the Giants have a wealth of talent available for the rotation.
The move could benefit the Giants in the long run, as they optimize their pitching staff while Hicks continues to develop in the bullpen. Though it may take injuries for Hicks to regain a starting position, the depth and potential of their rotation could lead to positive outcomes as the season progresses. This kind of adjustment reflects the team’s commitment to performance and their willingness to pivot when necessary.