Tampa Bay Rays comment on what it's like to face Blue Jays phenom Trey Yesavage
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Tampa Bay Rays infielder Tristan Gray had some interesting insight on what it's like to face Toronto Blue Jays young gun Trey Yesavage.
Rays infielder Tristan Gray jumped on Trey Yesavage's first pitch in Monday's fifth inning. He saw a splitter hanging at the top of the zone.
The ball traveled just 328 feet in the air for a lazy flyout. Gray was confused. Only when he returned to the dugout, he found out it was Yesavage's slider, not a splitter.
Blue Jays starter Trey Yesavage has the advantage over hitters with his deception
«If I can't even figure out what I hit,» Gray said. «I mean, that's how you know it's a little bit deceptive.»
Deception is Yesavage's top trait. His fastball sits a touch below league average velocity and, for now, he throws just three pitches.
But with the highest average release point in baseball, dragging his arm far above his head on every pitch, the righty's offerings are entirely unique.
The splitter tumbles down from his hand, hanging seven feet in the air. The slider often breaks arm side, the opposite of the pitch's usual movement.
As Yesavage plowed through Tampa Bay's lineup for the first time, allowing two hits and walking one batter, Rays hitters murmured in the dugout.
«A few of us,» Gray said. «We're like 'All right, now we've seen it.' That's the kind of guy we need to see at least one time to have a better idea.»
With Yesavage's rare release point and unexpected movement, he'll own a distinct advantage in initial meetings against opposing players and teams.
Eventually, the league will build comfort and perhaps force an adjustment from the right-hander.
But that may not come this year, with limited looks for big league batters. It could make him an October secret weapon.
«I think there is some real value to his delivery,» manager John Schneider said. «And it being a little bit unfamiliar to people.»
Yesavage's next start will come Sunday against the Royals. The timing will ensure he'll miss the following series against the Boston Red Sox, with a potential final outing coming against the Rays again at home.
That would send Yesavage to October without facing any of Toronto's likely playoff opponents.
Essentially, every batter Yesavage could meet in the postseason would feel the same first-look struggles Gray and the Rays experienced in his debut.
Source: The Athletic
Credit: Mitch Bannon
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| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 19 | 287 ANSWERS Tampa Bay Rays comment on what it's like to face Blue Jays phenom Trey Yesavage Do you think Trey Yesavage will dominate the Kansas City Royals like he did the Tampa Bay Rays? | ||
| Yes | 197 | 68.6 % |
| No | 54 | 18.8 % |
| Too early to tell | 36 | 12.5 % |
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