In a significant moment for the Toronto Blue Jays, rookie pitcher Trey Yesavage will start the World Series opener against the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers on October 24, 2023. This marks only Yesavage’s seventh game in Major League Baseball, following just three regular-season starts and three playoff appearances since his debut on September 15.
Rookie’s Journey to the World Series
The announcement came during a meeting with Blue Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker, where a thrilled Yesavage expressed his excitement. “I was fired up,” he said, recalling the moment. Immediately after, he arranged for his girlfriend to fly from North Carolina to watch him pitch, while his parents prepared to attend the game at Rogers Centre.
Yesavage’s first challenge will be facing Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as the best player in the sport. “The sleep last night was not easy. Mind was just racing,” Yesavage admitted. “I found a way to get some Z’s, but it was a little tough.”
With this start, Yesavage will become only the second pitcher in history to have a postseason total exceeding his regular-season total, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The first was Joe Black from the Brooklyn Dodgers, who made history in 1952.
Impressive Performance and Unique Style
Selected 20th overall in last year’s amateur draft from East Carolina University, Yesavage is the youngest player in this year’s World Series. His journey has seen him move rapidly through the minor leagues, starting at Class A Dunedin and advancing through various levels, including Triple-A Buffalo.
Yesavage finished the regular season with a record of 1-0 and a 3.21 ERA in three September starts, striking out 16 batters over 14 innings. In the postseason, he has made a notable impact, including a standout performance against the New York Yankees in the Division Series, where he pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings and recorded 11 strikeouts.
His pitching style features an unusual arm angle, with 69% of his throws being at this angle, the highest among right-handed pitchers in the postseason. Yesavage has relied heavily on his splitter, which has proven effective, with batters missing 23 of their 39 swings against it. He trusts his catcher, Alejandro Kirk, to make pitch selections, stating, “I tried shaking him off last start, but he shook me right back off.”
As for the Blue Jays’ strategy moving forward, Schneider has not yet confirmed who will start in Game 2, weighing options between Kevin Gausman, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber. “We tried to talk to all the guys and see how they’re doing physically,” Schneider noted, emphasizing the importance of rest and matchups against the Dodgers.
After the World Series, Yesavage plans to return to his parents’ home in Pennsylvania before settling back in North Carolina. “Maybe he’s pitched in a lot of games that have prepared him for it,” remarked Dodgers’ starter Blake Snell about Yesavage. “How is he going to react to that? There are so many questions.”
As the Blue Jays prepare for this pivotal moment, all eyes will be on Yesavage as he steps onto the mound, representing not only his team but the potential of a new generation of baseball talent.
