Trey Yesavage sparkles in MLB debut for Blue Jays, makes history

by | Sep 16, 2025

It was a Monday night Trey Yesavage won’t soon forget. Neither will his family.

After giving up a run in the first inning, the ECU baseball alum went to work in his MLB debut for the Toronto Blue Jays. He struck out a record nine in five innings against the Rays. He left with a 1-0 deficit, but the Blue Jays won in 11 innings, 2-1.

Fellow ECU alum Jeff Hoffman even pitched the ninth with two strikeouts and a walk.

Yesavage’s family was in the stands cheering him on. It was an emotional moment at times. Even ECU baseball coach Cliff Godwin made an appearance along with a number of other Pirates.

(AP photo)

“It was as special as I thought. It was almost like there was some sort of trance put over me with a feeling of peace out there,” Yesavage said. “I enjoyed every moment.”

As expected, the media was loving Yesavage’s outing:

So, what Trey Yesavage ultimately achieves will be decided in time, but after a remarkable nine-strikeout debut Monday night during a 2-1, 11-inning win over the Tampa Bay Rays, the dreaming on what the 22-year-old might become will only be amplified.

  • Yesavage strikes out 9 in impressive debut, Blue Jays beat Rays 2-1 in 11 innings, open 5-game lead

Yesavage, a 22-year-old right-hander taken 20th overall in last year’s amateur draft, allowed one run, three hits and two walks in five innings, throwing 49 of 69 pitches for strikes. He averaged 94.6 mph with 32 fastballs and also threw 19 splitters and 18 sliders. Six of his strikeouts were on splitters, and he induced 19 swings and misses.

(AP photo)

Photo credit: (AP photo)

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