Trey Yesavage’s 2025 season has been eventful, to say the least.
In just one season, he rose through five ranks in the Toronto Blue Jays organization and was instrumental in their run to the World Series. So he needed time to process it all once the season was over.
“It took me a few days to look back on the season and reflect, to realize how lucky I was,” Yesavage said at the Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Florida. Just to find myself alone, in silence, to take stock. »
Yesavage, 22, began his season with the Dunedin Blue Jays (Tier A) of the Florida Complex League and rose through the ranks of the Blue Jays’ minor league system, before being called up to the Majors in September.
Yesavage was 1-0 in three starts, with a 3.21 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. He was just as successful in the postseason, going 3-1 with a 3.58 ERA and 39 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings.
“I think the most important thing was to handle the pressure well every step of the way, to stay true to myself and not change,” said Yesavage, who will still be eligible for the American League Rookie of the Year award in 2026.
The right-handed pitcher finished the 2025 season as the Blue Jays’ top prospect and will undoubtedly be in the team’s lineup for the season opener, joining veterans Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce in the rotation.
“It’s funny, it’s his first training camp in the Majors, he wasn’t even here last year,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. I think what he accomplished on the sport’s biggest stage is almost unprecedented.
“So we expect him to get his bearings a little during this first spring training camp in the Majors and before the start of the season. »
That comes with new demands, including a longer season and more innings pitched, with Yesavage’s pitch count having been carefully managed at every stage in 2025.
Schneider said his advice to Yesavage for the start of camp was simple.
“Not trying to strike out every batter during spring training camp, making sure you’re ready for a long season,” Schneider said, adding that these discussions happen daily. As for the innings limit, we don’t really have one.
“I think that if there are moments in the calendar where we can spare the players, whether it is him, Gausman, Ponce or another, we will try to do so. »
One thing was certain for Schneider: Tyler Rogers, who signed a three-year, US$37 million contract with the Jays on December 15, will almost always follow Yesavage on the mound.
The reason is simple: Yesavage has the highest release point in baseball, while Rogers – who throws with a side arm – has the lowest. Indeed, the Trajekt Arc, the widely used throwing simulator that replicates the throwing motion of specific players, cannot replicate either Yesavage’s or Rogers’ distinctive throwing.
“I can’t wait to see the hitters’ reaction, because I’m sure they’ve never seen anything like this,” Yesavage said.
Rogers was less optimistic, having been in a similar situation last season when he often replaced future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander on the San Francisco Giants. Verlander had the highest release point in Major League Baseball until Yesavage’s debut last September.
“I don’t think it’s that important, no,” Rogers admitted. It’s like replacing a right-handed pitcher with a left-handed one, it’s just a different story. »
Catcher Alejandro Kirk, who at least knows what pitch he’s going to get, said the key for him will be to prepare well to cover these two very different pitchers.
“I just have to prepare well,” Kirk said through his interpreter, Hector LeBron. It’s rare to see that in a match, two such different approaches, but I have to concentrate on that and do my homework like them, and everything will be fine. »
Yesavage could well add another string to his bow.
In 2025, he had three pitches: a four-seam fastball (42.5% of the time), a slider (28.5%) and a slingshot – his go-to pitch to strike out hitters – (26.4% of the time).
Yesavage told reporters he tried adding a curveball to his arsenal this offseason and will continue to experiment with it during training camp.
“It’s not there yet, we’ll see,” he said, noting that the over-the-shoulder throwing motion that makes his slingshot so effective makes it difficult to throw a curveball without revealing his pitch to the batter.
Worth a look
