How Red Sox’s Hunter Dobbins Explained ‘Disgusting’ Rookie’s Playoff Dominance

Hunter Dobbins was one of several promising Boston Red Sox rookies to arrive in 2025. They’re now watching the rise of another star American League East newcomer.

Trey Yesavage made his major league debut on Sept. 15, but he’s become an indispensable member of the Toronto Blue Jays’ postseason rotation. The 22-year-old continued his improbable October by working seven spectacular innings in a Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yesavage allowed one run while registering 12 strikeouts on Wednesday night, giving him a victory in each playoff series.

It’s quite the run for a 2024 draft pick who started the year in Single-A. One social media user theorized that “something clearly clicked” for Yesavage, who posted a 4.50 ERA in 30 Double-A innings before reaching the majors.

Dobbins responded by pointing out that a pitcher has a different mentality in the minors than he does during a high-stakes playoff game.

“It’s not that something clicked, it’s the focus on performance in the majors versus development in the minors,” Dobbins wrote. “Guys try new things and try to find what they can add. Yesavage has been disgusting since college, so it shouldn’t be a shock that he’s having this success.”

SB Nation’s Matthew Gross asked Dobbins if minor league pitchers will purposefully test their less effective offerings in key spots. Yesavage has baffled hitters with a nasty sweeper throughout the playoffs, which he began by holding the New Yankees hitless over 5 1/3 innings with 11 strikeouts.

“It’s different for every guy, and it changes quite a bit through a season,” Dobbins replied. “My biggest one was this year, to start the year I was trying to figure out a bullpen routine and starter routine. But pitch wise my sweeper was a big challenge as in trying to find a shape that works but that could also land for a strike when needed. Some of it comes from the pitching department and some is from the player itself. Always try to find ways to be better.”

The Blue Jays have two chances to capture their first World Series title since 1993, before Yesavage and Dobbins were born, with a home victory. Game 6 starts Friday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox.