Trey Yesavage has blown every expectation set for him out of the water since he was taken 20th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in June of 2024.
From nine strikeouts in his debut after climbing all four minor-league levels in his first professional season, to 5.1 no-hit innings against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS, to setting the World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts facing a dominant Los Angeles Dodgers lineup, he has undoubtedly impressed and surprised many.
But not Cliff Godwin, head coach of the East Carolina Pirates' baseball program, who held a front-row seat to watch the now 22-year-old for three seasons.
"Just a special moment, couldn't happen to a better person," Godwin said during an appearance on Sportsnet 590's The Fan Pregame Show. "I thought Trey could do it for sure ... He's extremely talented. But you have to have an organization that's willing to do it."
The Blue Jays did, in fact, do it. Not even manager John Schneider or GM Ross Atkins anticipated this kind of spark when he was added to their big-league roster. The right-hander's awkward arm-angle was going to be different to opposing hitters, sure, but the level of production Yesavage has provided down the stretch has been second-to-none on Toronto's pitching staff.
In his five post-season appearances, he is 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while posting a playoff rookie record 39 strikeouts.
"The moment is not too big for him," Godwin added on Yesavage's latest outing. "It was Michael Jordan-ish."
The glowing confidence beaming off the rookie is not to be overlooked. It's the type of cool-headedness often seen from a veteran with over 250 career starts, not someone who now has more appearances in the post-season (five) than regular season (four).
It's something that Godwin, heading into his 11th year with East Carolina, hopes to pass down to his current players.
"(Bo) Bichette's quote (Wednesday), I actually told our team that (Thursday), 'He's ultra confident but you don't hear him in the locker room' and that's exactly who Trey is."
Despite his timid nature, make no mistake, the Dodgers heard Yesavage loud and clear on Wednesday night in Game 5 as he generated 23 whiffs against a lineup full of surefire Hall of Famers and led the Toronto Blue Jays to the brink of a World Series title.
"He's just out there having fun."
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