CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Former Tom Sox and East Carolina pitcher Trey Yesavage was selected in the first round of the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft, as announced on Sunday (July 14). Yesavage, a two-time All-American pitcher out of East Carolina University, was selected with the 20th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. Yesavage entered the 2022 summer with the Tom Sox with high expectations, and quickly exceeded them. He was named an All-Valley League selection after working his way into a number one starter role, working to a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings, striking out 32 and walking nine. He ranks among the team’s all-time best in ERA (T-10th), opponent batting average (.185, 9th), and strikeouts per nine innings (11.08, 7th). He did not allow more than two runs or three hits in any of his five starts on the summer and allowed only three extra-base hits on the year.
Yesavage’s dominance was particularly on display in his final two starts, where he strung together back-to-back performances with 7+ strikeouts – foreshadowing what was to come in his two following years at ECU. He closed the season with a seven-inning, seven-strikeout start against Covington in the first round of the playoffs, helping put the Tom Sox in prime position to win their third Valley Baseball League championship.
He only improved during his two following springs for the Pirates, where he strung together back-to-back All-America seasons. Yesavage was named a Second Team All-American by four separate publications in 2023 after going 7-1 with a 2.61 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 76 innings. He led ECU in ERA, wins, and opponent batting average, while ranking among the nation’s best in WHIP, strikeouts per nine, and ERA. In 2024, Yesavage was named a consensus First Team All-American and a semifinalist for both the Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy (given to the best amateur baseball player and best college baseball player in America, respectively). He finished the year with an 11-1 record, 2.02 ERA, and 145 strikeouts, tying the ECU and American conference single-season records. His WHIP, hits allowed per nine, ERA, wins, strikeouts, and strikeouts per nine all ranked among the nation’s top ten.
Yesavage is the first Tom Sox player off the board in the 2024 MLB Draft. For the first time in team history, the Tom Sox have had back-to-back years with first round draft picks, following Wyatt Langford’s fourth overall selection last July. The Tom Sox are the only Valley League team with first rounders in back-to-back MLB Drafts, and one of only two teams with a first round pick this season (Seaver King, Harrisonburg).
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