The Unexpected Rise of Toronto Blue Jays Pitcher Trey Yesavage (3 of 4)

The World Series

When Yesavage started Game 1 of the World Series, he became the second youngest pitcher to do so. He had a solid performance, limiting the high-powered Dodgers offense to 2 runs in 4 innings. Toronto picked up the victory. But it was in Game 5 when Yesavage put the baseball world on notice, striking out 12 Dodgers and surrendering a single run and zero walks in 7 innings. In the process, he set a rookie record with 39 strikeouts in a single post season. Yesavage was called on one more time to help the Blue Jays try to win the World Series, coming in relief in the 10th inning of Game 7. His luck would run out as he gave up a home run that would prove to be the game-winner for the Dodgers. But all things considered, it was an extremely remarkable run.

How Yesavage’s Unusual Pitching Mechanics Made This All Possible

Blue Jays’ pitching coach Pete Walker has confessed he only caught a brief look at Yesavage’s pitching during spring training, but he has been struck by his unusual slot, which refers to the angle of a pitcher’s throwing arm elative to the ground at the moment of release. In the process of delivering a pitch, Yesavage rocks back, and his arm whips down from behind his head at a 65-degree angle, his body tilting to the left. This results in the ball being released 7.09 feet above the field, second only to Justin Verlander’s 7.1 feet.

Coach Walker says Yesavage’s mechanics aren’t something he would necessarily teach, but that if the pitcher hits their stride with their particular approach, there’s no way they’re going to change what they’re doing. Tom House, a former major league pitcher and pitching coach who retired from coaching in 2011 has described Yesavage’s mechanics as being inefficient, but that his consistent delivery compensates for this. He also says Yesavage is having success with his pitches because he’s mentally and physically strong.