Giants’ Roupp and Birdsong Shine with New Pitches This Season

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants are counting on two promising right-handers, Logan Roupp and Jacob Birdsong, to deliver quality innings this season as they adjust to their roles within the team. Roupp, 26, is set to make his second start against the Cincinnati Reds on April 8 after debuting on April 2, while 23-year-old Birdsong has excelled in relief appearances.

During his season debut against the Houston Astros, Roupp faced challenges but also showed potential. He was removed from the game in the fifth inning with the bases loaded after allowing three runs, but he recorded eight strikeouts, largely thanks to his high-spin curveball. Out of his 83 pitches, he employed his curveball 34 times.

“I’ve thrown it my entire life,” Roupp said about his curveball. “All that’s really different is that I’m getting stronger with more mobility, and learning about the metrics. In college, we didn’t have metrics… confidence in it is the biggest thing.”

Roupp was a 12th-round pick in the 2021 draft from UNC-Wilmington. In his debut, he managed to spin his curveball at 3,056 rpm and achieved around 19 to 22 inches of horizontal movement, according to his own metrics. He noted the importance of proper execution in the effectiveness of his pitches.

Birdsong has made a strong impact in his second big league season, throwing four scoreless innings across two games and recording one strikeout with his newly developed pitch known as the kick-change. This unconventional changeup, which Birdsong developed by experimenting with grip variations, has added valuable depth to his pitching arsenal.

“I started throwing [the kick-change] last year, and it’s developed into one of my better pitches,” Birdsong explained. He initially struggled with finding a reliable changeup and credits his success to a video he watched, prompting him to experiment further.

“I saw the video and called it a spike change,” Birdsong noted, emphasizing the importance of adapting his delivery. “Whatever you call it, it works for me.”

As the Giants continue to optimize their pitching rotation, both Roupp and Birdsong are standout examples of how new techniques and resilience can lead to promising results. With Roupp aiming to reduce his curveball usage in favor of developing his changeup and cutter, and Birdsong showcasing his potent fastball and kick-change, the Giants are hopeful for a successful season ahead.