Blue Jays' Trey Yesavage named minor league player of the year by Baseball America

Heading into this season, the Blue Jays designed a plan for 22-year-old right-hander Trey Yesavage that left open the possibility of September innings in the majors.

Yesavage seized on that possibility by meeting each benchmark as he climbed four levels of the minor leagues to reach Toronto on Sept. 15 to make an electric five-inning, nine-strikeout MLB debut.

The Blue Jays drafted Yesavage 20th overall out of East Carolina in 2024.

His rapid five-level ascension required everything to go right in his development, which is exactly what happened, while putting an exclamation point on a rebound year for Toronto's minor league system.

Yesavage was one of the most productive minor-league pitchers in baseball this season, posting a 3.12 ERA across all four full-season levels while racking up 160 strikeouts.

Over his final seven appearances in the minors, Yesavage pitched in relief three times as the Blue Jays prepared him to work in multiple roles.

Yesavage did not factor into the decision in the postseason clinching win against the Royals.

He allowed four runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two across four innings.

Yesavage has given up five earned runs while striking out 11 batters through the first nine innings of his major-league career as he looks to make his case for a spot in the Blue Jays' rotation in the postseason.

His last chance to audition will be next weekend against the Rays in Toronto.