Blue Jays: How Trey Yesavage fits into the 2025 postseason plans

Blue Jays top pitching prospect Trey Yesavage is expected to make the American League Division Series roster. The question is, how do the Blue Jays utilize Yesavage? What will his role entail?

The Blue Jays should have their game one starter announced without a doubt: Kevin Gausman. Shane Bieber will likely be a game two starter, and if Chris Bassitt returns, he or Max Scherzer could be slotted to game three or four. 

Where does that leave Yesavage? How is he utilized? 

There’s a chance that Yesavage could be a starter with limited work 

Games three and four are up for grabs, especially in the potential absence of Bassitt. These two starters could easily be worked by Max Scherzer and Yesavage. The Blue Jays prospect has what it takes to start a postseason game. 

His quick advancement to the big leagues tells a story of what he offered in the minor leagues. Yesavage’s outings so far in the Major Leagues have provided some confidence for the club to depend on him in the rotation. His showings have not been a lot at all; he’s thrown in three regular-season games, pitching 14 innings, allowing five runs on 13 hits, striking out 16 hitters, and walking seven. Yesavage has the calibre in pitch repertoire and pitch-ability to start a game and set the tone.

On the flip side, he has not experienced a ton of action in the big leagues, let alone a postseason game. Pressure for the pitching prospect will play psychologically on him. The other worries may be disrupting the confidence of the right-hander in a vulnerable situation. 

The better option would be to piggyback Yesavage off of another short-distance starter, or start Yesavage for three to four innings with another long-reliever ready to go. 

The Blue Jays prospect could be a good fit in the bullpen

Limiting innings for longevity purposes could be key for the health and confidence of Yesavage. The pressure of the postseason will push intensity and work for any pitcher participating in October baseball. Toronto can use the prospect in a long-relief situation; possible to piggy-back off of a Scherzer start. 

He could also enter in situational relief, looking at right-handed, left-handed matchups. Yesavage could be key in mop-up situations, where trouble is on the rise, and a stopper is needed. This could be better for his young arm. 

In short, Yesavage offers a lot of positives and can give quality outings with limited innings. He may not be an arm to count on for a start in the postseason but he should find himself finding some sort of action this October.