The bright lights and the big stage didn't faze Trey Yesavage.
You don't become one of the best prospects in all of baseball just to wilt under some pressure in an MLB debut for the Toronto Blue Jays.
And so when all was said and done, Yesavage had put together a debut Monday night unlike any in Toronto history.
The 22-year old right-hander struck out nine hitters, the most any Blue Jays hurler has ever had in an MLB debut, according to MLB.com.
“It was as special as I thought," Yesavage told reporters postgame. "It was almost like there was some sort of trance put over me with a feeling of peace out there. I enjoyed every moment.”
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It sparked a great night for Toronto, which won 2-1 in 11 innings and is now 5.0 games up in the AL East.
Yesavage certainly impressed his manager.
“That’s a boost. It’s a boost,” manager John Schneider told reporters. “I don’t want to say it’s a ‘risky’ thing bringing him up because we talked about it a lot. We thought he could help us win, which he did tonight. With that being a little unorthodox at this time of year, a young kid making his debut and where we’re at in the season and the standings, it’s good for everyone else here to see what he can do.”
Yesavage was coming off a final Triple-A outing in which he went three innings, faced nine hitters and retired all nine.
The Blue Jays haven't yet determined exactly how the rookie might factor into the postseason plan. But if he looks this good, he has to factor into the picture.
Yesavage had 160 strikeouts in 98 minor league innings this season. And yeah, the stuff plays in the show, too.
He relied heavily on his splitter against the Rays. Tampa Bay swung 14 times at that pitch and whiffed 11 times.
Add this as one more reason for hope in a special October for the Blue Jays.
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