Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage recently put an explanation mark on what has been an incredible rookie season.
This 6’4″ 225-pound starter, who was drafted by Toronto 1st round, 20th overall in the 2024 draft, saw his stock drastically rise after accomplishing the near impossible by starting the season playing with Single ‘A’ Dunedin and working his way up the system by playing for High A Vancouver Canadiens, Double A New Hampshire and eventually in August with the Triple A Buffalo Bisons.
Yesavage, who is only 22 years old, gained a lot of attention around major league baseball after accomplishing something that takes an average ball player two to three years to do: completing the journey from Single ‘A’ to being called up to the big leagues in the same season.
After hearing so much hype about Yesavage and seeing countless videos of him in the minors, Blue Jays fans finally got to see what all the excitement was all about. They certainly weren’t disappointed when on September 15th at Rogers Centre with family and friends in the stands, Yesavage made a statement by setting an MLB record with most strikeouts in a debut with nine which came in an 11 inning 2-1 Jays win against their American League East Division rivals the Tampa Bay Rays.
“It was as special as I thought. It was almost like there was some sort of trance put over me with a feeling of peace out there,” Yesavage said. “I enjoyed every moment.”
In three regular-season starts with Toronto, Yesavage’s popularity with Blue Jays fans continued to grow rapidly as he pitched 14 innings, and finished 1-0 with a 3,21 ERA along with producing 16 strikeouts.
After struggling in this year’s Fall Classic Game 1 opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Yesavage rebounded on October 29th at Dodger Stadium in a record-setting Game 5 pitching performance for the ages which gave the Jays a 3-2 series lead and most importantly only one win away from winning the World Series.
Yesavage, who in that World Series opener allowed four hits and two earned runs over four innings of an 11-4 Game 1 Jays victory, would days later on October 29th make some World Series Game 5 history which will be talked about for ages among baseball fans.
Under the October spotlight and with the Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax at Dodger Stadium, Yesavage continued to amaze the baseball world as he was on a mission to dominate during the Jays 6-1 Game 5 win. In what was truly a special moment, Yesavage, who was making his fifth post-season start set a new MLB record by striking out 12 batters in seven innings pitched, which set a new rookie record.
“Historic stuff,” is how Jays manager John Schneider termed Yesavage’s 12 strikeout World Series Game 5 performance.
Blue Jays Starting Pitcher Trey Yesavage Showing He Is the Real Deal
College Coach Cliff Godwin Not the Least Bit Shocked at Yesavage’s Success
Yesavage’s former East Carolina Pirates coach, Cliff Godwin, couldn’t say enough good things about the young pitcher.
Godwin, who had a front row seat to witnessing Yesavage’s developing talent, isn’t the least surprised by his overall success.
“Just a special moment, couldn’t happen to a better person,” Godwin said. “I thought Trey could do it for sure…He’s extremely talented. But you have to bring an organization that’s willing to do it.”
Godwin also went on to add “The moment is not too big for him. It was Michael Jordan-ish.”
Yesavage Breaks 76 year World Series Pitching Record
During that World Series Game 5 masterpiece, Yesavage with his 12 strikeouts, broke Don Newcombe’s 1949 World Series record for most strikeouts from a rookie in a World Series game.
Yesavage also set another World Series record when he struck out five straight batters.
Another Game 5 record was set when Blue Jays led off the game with their two first batters, Davis Schneider and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting consecutive home runs for a 2-0 lead. This was the first time in World Series history that a team started a game with consecutive home runs.
This October has given baseball fans from around the globe an opportunity to get a close up view of Yesavage who has had an absolute season for the ages.
Blue Jays Rookie Pitcher Yesavage Makes World Series History
Blue Jays 22-year-old rookie Yesavage wrote another chapter in what has been an absolutely inspiring season for the ages.
In a scenario which reads more like a Hollywood movie, Yesavage, who was drafted by the Jays first round, 20th overall, quickly saw his stock rise as he did the near impossible, which is start a season in Single A and work your way up the system’s chain and eventually finding yourself excelling in the majors. That’s exactly what happened with this 6’4” 225-pound pitcher who, through his rise in the organization, has gained much popularity with Blue Jays fans.
This dream season has seen Yesavage start the year with Single-A Dunedin before pitching for such teams as the High-A affiliate Vancouver Canadians, Double-A New Hampshire and Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
That ultimate dream of playing in the majors became a reality on September 15th at Rogers Centre, when, with Yesavage’s family at the park, this young pitcher set a franchise record of striking out the most batters in a debut with nine, which came in a 2-1 11-inning Blue Jays win against their American League East Division rivals, Rays.
“It was as special as I thought. It was almost like there was some sort of trance put over me with a feeling of peace out there,” Yesavage said. “I enjoyed every moment.”
Usually it takes two to three years for a young pitcher to progress from Single A baseball to the majors, but Yesavage didn’t just accomplish it in the same season, but he excelled with the Jays.
Main Image: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
