Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old right-hander for the Toronto Blue Jays, continues to make headlines during the 2025 postseason. On Wednesday, he made his fifth start of the postseason in Game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, further enhancing his remarkable playoff journey.
During this pivotal game, Yesavage struck out 12 Dodgers, breaking the record for the most strikeouts by a rookie in a World Series game. This achievement surpassed the previous record of 11 strikeouts set by Don Newcombe in Game 1 of the 1949 Fall Classic. Yesavage solidified his place in the record books by fanning Freddie Freeman with a splitter in the seventh inning.
However, the record-breaking feats did not stop there. Yesavage’s seventh strikeout of the game marked his 34th strikeout of the playoffs, breaking the major league record for the most strikeouts in a single postseason by a rookie, previously held by Michael Wacha of the St. Louis Cardinals. True to form, Yesavage continued to build on this new record as the game progressed.
Yesavage demonstrated remarkable dominance right from the start of Game 5, retiring the first seven batters he faced, which included a streak of five consecutive strikeouts. This streak represented a new record for a rookie pitcher in the World Series, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
The Dodgers finally broke through against Yesavage in the third inning, when Kiké Hernández hit a solo home run, ending the young pitcher's perfect game stretch. Despite this setback, Yesavage displayed resilience and skill. After struggling with his signature splitter in Game 1 of the World Series, where he threw the pitch just ten times, Yesavage effectively utilized the pitch against the Dodgers' left-handed batters in Game 5, showcasing his growth and adaptability as a player.
Earlier in the postseason, Yesavage had made an impressive debut, delivering a performance that featured 11 strikeouts over 5.1 no-hit innings against the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series (ALDS). This performance had already set a Blue Jays franchise record for the most strikeouts in a single postseason game.
With his outstanding performances in both Game 5 of the World Series and the ALDS, Yesavage became the first rookie in league history to record multiple games with ten or more strikeouts in a single postseason. His remarkable achievements highlight not only his potential but also his impact on the game as a young pitcher.
As he continues through this historic postseason, Trey Yesavage's name is cementing itself in the annals of baseball history, captivating fans and analysts alike with his extraordinary talent and composure on the mound.
