How Trey Yesavage can still be a playoff weapon for Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays top pitching prospect Trey Yesavage can already feel accomplished with what he’s achieved in his first season of professional baseball. After being selected with the 20th overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft, the former East Carolina star has moved through all four of the Jays’ minor league levels and seen his name rocket up prospect lists. Now, the hard-throwing right-hander is in position to make his major league debut just in time for the playoff push.

What needs to happen for Yesavage to join the Blue Jays?

As well as Yesavage has pitched this season, he’s still considered a long shot to be added to the active roster in 2025. A significant reason for this is that he’s not on the team’s 40-man roster.  Therefore, only an injury would open the door for the 22-year-old to be part of the stretch drive. If that happens (knock on wood!) and Yesavage is the player the Blue Jays want to promote to the bigs, it would require approval from the commissioner’s office, which is considered more of a formality than an obstacle. 

The best way for Yesavage to have hopes of reaching the bigs this season is for him to continue on his current trajectory, which has seen him dominate for stretches with his unorthodox, over-the-top delivery.  The interesting development of bringing him out of the bullpen for his last appearance with the Buffalo Bisons shows that activating Yesavage as a multi-inning reliever is a real possibility.

He pitched three shutout innings against the Syracuse Mets, giving up two hits and walking one batter while striking out six. The idea is to observe how Yesavage responds to being used as a reliever, and to put him on a short list for promotion if he passes the test. 

Even if the Pennsylvania native exceeds expectations, he’ll be hard-pressed to be part of the conclusion to what has been a surprisingly successful Jays’ season. Braydon Fisher has been one of the unforeseen contributors this season and is eligible to be added to the active roster as soon as this weekend.

Mason Fluharty and Paxton Schultz are two other young arms with player options who could find themselves on the mound in big spots this month. Both have flashed brilliance this season and could be activated by September 9. 

Even as Yesavage finds himself on the outside looking in as far as cracking the roster this season, he’s done nothing but create excitement for his MLB career, whenever it does happen.