With the 2025 World Series returning to Toronto for Game 6 on Friday, baseball fans are still buzzing about Trey Yesavage’s incredible performance in Game 5. The 22-year-old Toronto Blue Jays pitcher set a new MLB record for strikeouts by a rookie in a postseason game by tallying 12 strikeouts in just over 100 pitches at Dodger Stadium.
This achievement surpassed the previous record set in 1949 by Don Newcombe, who had 11 strikeouts while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Yesavage stands out as the only pitcher in MLB history to achieve 12 strikeouts in a World Series game without issuing any walks, except for a solo home run in the third inning.
During Wednesday’s game, Yesavage pitched seven innings, a notable feat in the postseason where starting pitchers often have shorter outings, except for Dodgers’ pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s complete game in Game 2. Yesavage has now pitched a total of 11 innings in the World Series, starting from his three-inning appearance in Game 1.
Yesavage’s rapid rise to success is even more remarkable considering that he was playing in the minor leagues just six weeks ago. Beginning his year with the Dunedin Blue Jays in low-A ball, he quickly progressed through various minor league teams before making his debut for Toronto in mid-September. Despite having only three starts for the Jays before the playoffs, Yesavage has made a significant impact.
The Cheat Code
Yesavage earned the nickname “The Cheat Code” during his teenage years playing for the Keystone State Bombers in Pennsylvania due to his consistent winning performances. His former coach, Shaun Vernesoni, reflected on Yesavage’s dominance and expressed pride in seeing him excel at the highest level of the sport.
Yesavage’s minor league success impressed Jays manager John Schneider, who highlighted the team’s confidence in his abilities. The Jays are now in contention for their first World Series title since 1993, a decade before Yesavage was born.
Striking out MVPs
In Game 5, Yesavage recorded 23 swings and misses out of 52 swings, the highest in a World Series game according to MLB tracking. Facing formidable opponents like Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts, all MVP winners, Yesavage showcased his skill by striking out each of them at least once.
Despite the star-studded lineup of the Dodgers, Yesavage remained composed on the mound, showcasing his command and pitch variety, including a dominant split-finger fastball and slider, as noted by Schneider.
Yesavage’s outstanding performance not only secured a crucial win for the Jays but also propelled them closer to a potential World Series victory. As they prepare for Game 6 in Toronto, the team’s focus remains unwavering, with Schneider eagerly anticipating the electric atmosphere at the Rogers Centre.
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