"One way they may attempt to do that? Go and get a guy who is being compared to Yesavage. The player drawing those comparisons is none other than free agent Japanese pitching sensation Tatsuya Imai, who will be playing in MLB for the first time in his career in 2026. The 27-year-old right hander has recently been compared to Yesavage by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel for what he brings to the table."
"The 27-year-old right hander has recently been compared to Yesavage by ESPN's Kiley McDaniel for what he brings to the table. McDaniel wrote, "Yesavage throws a four-seam fastball, an arm-side-moving slider and a splitter, and though his release (among the highest in the league) is different than Imai's (lower than average, because of his lower arm slot and below-average height) and Yesavage's splitter is better (among the best in the league), they're otherwise attacking hitters in a similar way.""
Trey Yesavage emerged as a 2025 breakout, climbing five professional levels in five months and dominating in the postseason. Yesavage no-hit the Yankees through 5.1 innings in Game 2 of the ALDS, striking out 11 hitters on 78 pitches with 48 strikes. The Yankees finished 94-68, tied with the Blue Jays, and lost the AL East title on a tiebreaker. The Yankees are exploring ways to mirror the Blue Jays by targeting similar pitching talent, including free agent Tatsuya Imai for 2026. Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old Japanese right-hander, profiles similarly to Yesavage with a four-seam fastball, arm-side slider and splitter, though he has a lower release and a weaker splitter. The Yankees' potential rotation would include Max Fried, Will Warren and Cam Schlittler, with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole expected to return from injury.
Read at jaysjournal.com
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