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Trey Yesavage was the consensus third-best pitcher available in the 2024 Draft, behind top-five picks Chase Burns and Hagen Smith. He outdueled Burns in NCAA regional play despite having a lung partially collapsed after dry needling treatment went awry, then went 20th overall to the Blue Jays. The only reason he lasted that long was that some clubs had medical concerns about his back.
Toronto envisioned Yesavage as a guy who could fit in the front half of a big league rotation on a contender — which was correct. It just happened much quicker than anyone expected.
As the Blue Jays came within two outs of a World Series title, Yesavage was one of their biggest October heroes. He joined them in September, and the club won each of his three regular-season starts, without which it wouldn’t have been American League East champions. Toronto won four of his five playoff starts, with Yesavage earning crucial victories in the Division Series, Championship Series and World Series, setting rookie records for strikeouts in a World Series game (12) and total whiffs in a postseason (39).
It’s rare for a player to go from the Draft one year to playoff glory the next. We probably won’t see another Yesavage-like rise in 2026, but if we do, who are the candidates? Here are seven — six first-round selections and a second-round sleeper.
Kade Anderson, LHP, Mariners (No. 3 overall)
The Mariners were this close to making the World Series this fall, and Anderson shouldn’t need much time in the Minors. He rode a polished four-pitch arsenal to Most Outstanding Player accolades at the College World Series, helping Louisiana State win its second national title in three years, and led NCAA Division I with 180 strikeouts in 119 innings.
Gage Wood, RHP, Phillies (No. 26 overall)
Wood authored the best performance in CWS history, spinning a 19-strikeout no-hitter against Murray State with only a hit batter costing him a perfect game. He has a history of shoulder issues and they cost him two months last spring, but he also possesses a nasty mid-90s fastball that reaches 98 mph and a power 82-85 mph curveball that are hard to hit.
Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Red Sox (No. 15 overall)
Witherspoon paced the Southeastern Conference with a 5.4 K/BB ratio last spring, displaying four pitches that miss bats: a mid-90s fastball that reaches 91 mph, a low-80s downer curveball, a mid-80s slider and an upper-80s cutter. His control and command took big steps forward this year, which could expedite his trip through the Minors.
Liam Doyle, LHP, Cardinals (No. 5 overall)
Doyle would rank higher on this list if the Cardinals projected as stronger contenders in 2026. He topped D-I in strikeout rate (15.4 per nine innings) last spring and reached Double-A at the end of his brief pro debut. He features an explosive fastball that reaches triple digits, and he has three other offerings (82-85 mph slider, upper-80s cutter and splitter) that could be solid or better.
Andrew Fischer, 3B/1B, Brewers (No. 20 overall)
There won’t be as many college bats rushing to the Majors from this year’s Draft as there were from the 2023 and 2024 crops, but Fischer could get there first. He had the best performance data of any college hitter in the 2025 class while also ranking third in D-I in homers (25) and fourth in walks (63).
Jamie Arnold, LHP, Athletics (No. 11 overall)
Young talent is driving the A’s back toward contention, and they were pleasantly surprised to find Arnold available with their first-round pick. He deals mid-90s fastballs and nasty 82-85 mph sliders from a tough angle, which could get him toward the front of the big league rotation in a hurry.
A.J. Russell, RHP, Rangers (No. 52 overall)
Though internal brace surgery in 2024 limited Russell in his last two college seasons at Tennessee, he possesses a unicorn fastball that parks at 92-94 mph and peaks at 98 with an exceptionally low release point, wide angle, significant armside run and carry up in the zone. The Rangers hope he’s a starter, but he may be able to handle high-leverage relief innings next October if needed.
