Toronto Blue Jays rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage has experienced the kind of season that only happens in sports movies. Yesavage began the 2025 campaign in Single-A. Zoom ahead to October, and he’s just made two stellar outings in the World Series for the Blue Jays, becoming a huge reason why Toronto is one win away from its first title since 1993.
Yesavage didn’t debut on an MLB mound until September 15, but he’s pitched like a seasoned veteran since then, garnering the respect of the entire baseball world.
In Game 1 of the Fall Classic, Yesavage, 22, became the second-youngest pitcher to start in Game 1 of the World Series, behind only Ralph Branca in 1947. Yesavage was solid enough, limiting the Dodgers’ dangerous lineup to just two runs across four innings.
Yesavage’s masterclass in Game 5, however, secured his World Series legacy. Across seven innings in the pivotal game, Yesavage allowed just one earned run and struck out an astounding 12 Dodgers hitters. It was the most strikeouts by a pitcher aged 23 or younger in World Series history, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. With the outing, Yesavage also became the first rookie to ever record multiple 10-strikeout games in one playoffs.
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Assuming Yesavage won’t appear in a relief role in either Game 6 or a potential Game 7, the rook walks away from the series with a 1-0 record, an ERA of 2.45, and 17 strikeouts, with both of his starts ending in Blue Jays wins.
No matter what happens the rest of the way in this series, Yesavage completely transformed his career and life over the past week.
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Featured image via Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn Images
