Trey Yesavage built a reputation as one of college baseball’s fiercest competitors, and now he’s carrying that same dominance into his early professional career with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Drafted 20th overall last July out of East Carolina University, Yesavage brought with him a dazzling college resume — a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, unanimous first-team All-American, and the American Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year. With a record of 11-1, a 2.02 ERA, and 145 strikeouts in 93.1 innings during his final collegiate season, he was unquestionably one of the most decorated arms in the 2023 draft class.
The Blue Jays, however, have been deliberate in their development plan for the 21-year-old right-hander, starting him at Class-A Dunedin this spring. Early returns suggest he may not be there much longer.
Facing the Tampa Tarpons — the New York Yankees’ Florida State League affiliate — on Saturday, Yesavage continued to overpower young hitters. Over 4.2 innings, he allowed just one hit, two runs, and a walk while striking out 10 batters. It marked the second consecutive start in which he carried a perfect game into the fifth inning while racking up double-digit strikeouts.
Through four starts at Dunedin, Yesavage owns a 3.12 ERA across 17.1 innings, striking out 28 and walking just eight. Opposing batters are hitting a meager .153 against him, and although he hasn’t notched a win yet, his dominant performances suggest that milestone is just around the corner.
Ranked as Toronto’s No. 2 prospect by MLB Pipeline entering the season, Yesavage has quickly shown he may be ready for his next challenge. His consistent command, swing-and-miss arsenal, and unflappable demeanor on the mound have all stood out. The question now isn’t whether he’ll succeed in pro ball — it’s how long the Blue Jays can afford to keep him at this level before promoting him to High-A Vancouver.
With a fastball that can overpower hitters and a full arsenal honed during his standout career at East Carolina — where he helped set both school and conference strikeout records — Yesavage looks poised to climb Toronto’s system quickly. His early dominance is a reminder of why the Blue Jays bet big on him last summer — and why the rest of the Florida State League would be just fine seeing him move on sooner rather than later.
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