Trey Yesavage World Series History: Blue Jays Rookie Strikes Out 12 Dodgers — Can He Claim MVP Glory?

Trey Yesavage made World Series history on Wednesday night, striking out 12 Los Angeles Dodgers batters in Game 5 to set a new rookie record. The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander, just 22 years old, dominated in a performance that may go down as one of the most electric outings ever by a first-year pitcher on baseball’s biggest stage.

Yesavage’s historic strikeout came in the seventh inning when he fanned Freddie Freeman, breaking the previous rookie record of 11 set by Don Newcombe in 1949. His final line — seven innings, three hits, one run, and 12 strikeouts — instantly elevated him to MVP consideration as the Blue Jays took control of the series.

Trey Yesavage Stats and Record-Breaking Performance

Yesavage’s Game 5 performance was a masterclass in precision and power. Throwing 104 pitches without issuing a single walk, he silenced the Dodgers lineup, which had tormented pitchers all postseason. His ability to mix high-velocity fastballs with late-breaking sliders left hitters guessing all night.

For context, Yesavage made his MLB debut on September 15, 2025, giving him barely two weeks of regular-season experience before entering the postseason spotlight. In those three starts, he posted a 3.21 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 14 innings, boasting a 10.3 K/9 rate. According to Baseball Savant data, his chase rate of 36.3% and whiff rate of 35.4% would have ranked among the league’s best had he qualified for the leaderboard.

This postseason, Yesavage entered Game 5 with a 4.26 ERA and a 12.3 strikeout rate. After his latest gem, that number soared, and he now holds several rookie pitching milestones. Among them: most strikeouts by a rookie in a World Series game (12), most strikeouts by a rookie in a single postseason (39), and the first rookie ever with multiple 10-plus strikeout games in a single playoff run.

His seven innings of one-run ball not only gave Toronto the edge but also solidified Yesavage as a key figure in their 2025 World Series campaign. As of Thursday morning, sportsbooks such as BetMGM listed his odds at +1600 to win World Series MVP — third behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani.

The Rise of a Blue Jays Phenom

Yesavage’s emergence comes less than 18 months after he signed a $4.175 million signing bonus as the Blue Jays’ 2024 first-round draft pick. In his first full year, he earned just $760,000, reflecting how quickly Toronto’s investment paid off. His 2026 salary is set to rise slightly to $820,000, though his long-term value to the franchise now appears priceless.

Analysts and fans alike have compared Yesavage’s rapid ascent to those of recent phenoms like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Spencer Strider. What sets him apart, however, is his postseason poise. On the game’s grandest stage, he displayed a calmness that belied his age, controlling the tempo and overpowering one of the deepest lineups in baseball.

For a Blue Jays team seeking its first title since 1993, Yesavage’s dominance could be the X-factor that changes everything. With his strikeout record and Game 5 brilliance, he has already written his name into World Series lore — and possibly into the MVP conversation.

Trey Yesavage’s World Series history is now part of Toronto’s story — one that could end with the franchise lifting the Commissioner’s Trophy for the first time in over three decades.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who holds the rookie strikeout record in a World Series game?

Trey Yesavage now holds the record with 12 strikeouts in Game 5 of the 2025 World Series against the Dodgers.

Q2: How many innings did Trey Yesavage pitch in Game 5?

He pitched seven dominant innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out 12 and walking none.

Q3: What are Trey Yesavage’s World Series MVP odds?

Yesavage’s current MVP odds are +1600, placing him third behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani.

Q4: What was Trey Yesavage’s regular season record?

He made three starts in the regular season, posting a 3.21 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 14 innings.

Q5: How much does Trey Yesavage earn with the Blue Jays?

He earned $760,000 in 2025 and is set to make $820,000 in 2026 under his pre-arbitration contract.