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Blue Jays Rookie Trey Yesavage Sets World Series Rookie Strikeout Record as Toronto Takes 3–2 Lead

The 22-year-old rose from Single-A this spring, overpowering the Dodgers with an exceptionally high release point plus a three-pitch arsenal.

Overview

  • Yesavage struck out 12 with no walks over seven innings in Game 5, producing 23 whiffs—the most in a World Series game since pitch tracking began in 2008.
  • Toronto won 6-1 at Dodger Stadium to grab a 3-2 series lead, with the championship shifting to Canada for Games 6 and 7.
  • The performance surpassed Don Newcombe’s rookie World Series mark of 11 strikeouts and made Yesavage the first pitcher to log 10-plus strikeouts through five innings twice in one postseason, joining Sandy Koufax in the World Series subset.
  • MLB Statcast measured a 65-degree arm angle and a 7.09-foot release point—second among starters to Justin Verlander—backed by a mix featuring a 94.4 mph fastball, 88.5 mph slider and 83.8 mph splitter.
  • He opened 2025 at Single-A and reached the Fall Classic after just three regular-season starts, with opponents turning to Trajekt simulators to replicate his unusual release for preparation.