When the Trey Yesavage name appears, baseball fans and prospect watchers immediately note his status as a top right-handed pitching prospect coming out of college. Selected in the first round of the 2024 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, his journey from high school and college to professional contract offers plenty of interesting detail. This article dives deep into his background—including high school and college career—his draft selection, his signing bonus, and his early salary projections.
Early Life & High School Background
Trey Yesavage grew up with a passion for baseball, developing into a talented pitcher from an early age. While much of the media focus highlights his time at college, his high-school years provided the foundation for his eventual selection in the first round.
Though specific high-school statistics are less widely publicised, Yesavage’s path followed the typical route for top pitching prospects: standout performances at the high school level, showing advanced velocity, command and secondary pitches that set him apart. Those early years laid the groundwork for recruiting interest and eventually collegiate selection.
The high-school phase is important because for MLB teams, a player’s prep record often signals their work‐ethic, durability and projection. In Yesavage’s case, his high‐school performance boosted his profile, but his true breakout came in college—which we’ll turn to next.
College Career at East Carolina University
Yesavage attended East Carolina University (ECU), where he developed into one of the premier right-handed pitching prospects in the 2024 draft class. His time at ECU is marked by significant statistical improvement, mastery of multiple pitches and the demonstration of an advanced starter’s build and profile.
Specifically, in his 2024 season at ECU he compiled an ERA of 2.03 across 93.1 innings, with a strikeout rate of 40.4% and a walk rate of 8.9%
His fastball sat in the 93-95 mph range and touched as high as 98 mph; he also featured a slider, splitter and a curveball which gave him strong secondary offerings.
His progression in college—from dealing with command issues early to becoming dominant—helped him ascend the draft charts. Indeed, various scouting outlets ranked him among the top 20 prospects in that class.
His college performance clearly established him as a first-round talent, bridging the gap from high school standout to professional prospect.
Draft Pick: First Round, 20th Overall
In the 2024 MLB Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays used their first-round pick—20th overall—to select Trey Yesavage.
This selection carried strong expectations, as first‐round picks from college programs come with pressure to perform and ascend quickly. The pick also gave the Blue Jays an arm they felt could be developed toward a high-leverage starting role. As noted in reports, the Blue Jays and Yesavage agreed to the deal just prior to the Aug 1 deadline for first-rounders.
It’s worth noting that in the 2024 draft context, Yesavage’s signing bonus of roughly $4.17 million placed him among the top signing bonuses in the class, albeit below some of the highest levels. That brings us to his contract details.
Signing Bonus & Contract Terms
Signing Bonus
Trey Yesavage signed a deal with the Blue Jays featuring a signing bonus of approximately US$4.1775 million, which was slightly above the slot value for the 20th pick, which had been set at about US$4.0734 million.
In one report, the figure was $4,175,000.
According to MLB’s tracking of draft signings, this put him among the “top 100 signing bonuses” of the 2024 class.
Contract / Salary Projections
According to publicly available salary‐tracking databases, Yesavage’s contract displays him as having one year, $4.175 million listed (which essentially represents the signing bonus for a rookie).
His base salary once in professional play (pre-arbitration) is expected to follow the league-minimum path for major-league players; for example, the Wikipedia entry lists his 2025 base salary at ~$760,000 and in 2026 at ~$820,000.
Of course, as a newly signed first-rounder, much of his value is in his bonus and future upside rather than guaranteed large major‐league salary today.
Thus, the key takeaway: Yesavage earned a strong signing bonus, and as he progresses through the minors and hopefully reaches the majors, his base salaries will rise according to MLB’s pre‐arbitration and arbitration system.
Why the Bonus Was This Size: Prospect Profile & Demand
Several factors contributed to the magnitude of Yesavage’s signing bonus:
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Strong college performance: His statistical output at ECU (2.03 ERA, 40.4% strikeout rate) made him one of the more polished arms among college pitchers in the draft class.
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Pitching profile: Scouts liked his fastball velocity (93-98 mph), splitter, slider and curve — a complete offering for a starter.
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Draft slot and market: At pick 20, the slot value was ~$4.07 million; the Blue Jays gave him a bit over slot (~US$4.17 million) to secure him.
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Team need and strategy: The Blue Jays, seeking pitching depth in their system, likely valued securing a college arm who could move more quickly through the minors.
Because of those combined factors, his bonus sits at a high but not record‐setting level for the 2024 draft. Indeed, the very top bonuses in the class reached around $9.25 million.
Early Outlook & Development Path
Given his draft position, signing bonus and profile, what does the development path for Trey Yesavage look like?
Short-Term Outlook
Aside from the contract, he will begin his professional journey likely in the lower minors (Single-A or High-A) with the Blue Jays’ affiliates. With his college experience and advanced profile, the organisation will aim to move him through the system efficiently but carefully.
His salary in the near term remains modest relative to established major-league stars, but the bonus provides significant financial security.
Medium-Term Expectations
If all goes well, Yesavage could reach Double-A or Triple-A within a year or two, positioning him for a major-league debut. His rookie bonus places him among top‐tier college arms, so the club and fans will hold reasonably high expectations.
His salary will ramp up over time—in the majors it could surpass a million annually once he passes through the pre‐arbitration years and enters arbitration.
Long-Term Potential
If he fulfills his potential, Yesavage could become a solid starting pitcher at the major-league level. Given his skill set, he has the upside of a mid‐rotation or better starter—assuming health, consistency and continued development. The initial bonus represents an investment in that potential.
Comparisons & Context
To better understand his signing bonus and contract in context:
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In the 2024 draft, the largest bonuses were $9.25 million (e.g., for the No. 2 and No. 3 picks).
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Yesavage’s bonus of ~$4.17 million places him well above slot for pick 20 and among the top 20 or so bonuses in the class.
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For college pitchers, this is a strong signing. Many high school pitchers require larger bonus to forgo college. Because Yesavage was from college and had proven results, his leverage was slightly lower than elite high‐school phenoms—but still very good.
In the broader picture of MLB draft economics, his deal reflects the value organizations assign to college arms who are closer to major‐league readiness, versus high-ceiling high school arms who may require more development and thus higher risk.
Challenges & Considerations
While the signing bonus and draft status are impressive, there are important caveats and challenges to consider:
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Health and durability: Pitching arms always carry risk—Yesavage had a medical scare noted late in his college season (hospitalized with a partially collapsed lung during the season).
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Transition to professional hitters: The jump from college to pro ball brings stronger, more disciplined hitters, so continued development of secondary pitches and command is critical.
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Time to majors: Even top college arms take time to reach the majors. Expectations must be balanced.
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Contract scope: While the bonus is significant, the base salary is modest in the short term. Future earnings depend on reaching the majors and performing well.
High School Detail & Recruiting (Additional Notes)
While the main spotlight was on his college tenure, the high‐school phase provided his entry to collegiate baseball. Usually, prospects of Yesavage’s calibre of college arms were heavily scouted in high school, attended showcases, and were recruited by Division I programs. The high-school performance and physical mixture (notably his size: 6′4″, 225 lbs as cited) allowed college programs to anticipate projection.
His commitment to ECU and subsequent progression illustrates how high-school foundation + college refinement = strong draft prospect.
Impact of Draft Pick on Career & Organisation
The fact that the Blue Jays picked Yesavage at No. 20 overall reflects their confidence in his ability and timeline. First‐round picks carry a combination of immediate attention and long‐term planning. For the organisation:
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They now have a premium bonus‐tier college right-hander in their system.
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The signing slightly over slot indicates they valued him enough to make a small extra investment.
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For fans and the system, his arrival signals that the club is serious about replenishing pitching depth.
For Yesavage, the draft pick means elevated expectations: he is counted among the organisation’s top prospects, and his timeline to the major leagues may be shorter than a typical high‐school draftee.
Salary Breakdown & Financial Perspective
While much of the attention is on the signing bonus, understanding salary progression is important.
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The $4.1775 million bonus is guaranteed and provides immediate financial security.
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The base salary for players in the minors/early major leagues is much lower (i.e., the <$1 million range). The Wikipedia entry lists ~$760,000 for 2025 and ~$820,000 for 2026 for Yesavage.
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Once in the majors, pre-arbitration years typically pay close to the league minimum (~$700-800K in recent years, though increases continue), then arbitration years can raise that substantially if the player performs well, and free agency later offers major contracts.
From a financial planning standpoint, Yesavage’s bonus gives him security and allows focus on development rather than immediate earnings.
Summary & Outlook
Trey Yesavage’s profile presents a compelling case of modern baseball prospect development:
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From high school foundation → strong college performance → first‐round draft pick
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Earned a high signing bonus (≈ US$4.17 million) slightly over slot, marking him among the top bonuses of his class
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Contract terms include the bonus plus standard pre‐arbitration salaries, with larger earnings potential lying ahead if he reaches and stays in the majors
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His skill‐set (fastball velocity, secondary pitches, college pedigree) supports the investment
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Risks remain (health, transition, time to major leagues), but the upside is substantial
For fans tracking Blue Jays prospects or MLB draft economics, Yesavage is a player to watch. Whether he becomes a frontline starter or develops into a reliable major‐league arm will depend on performance, health and development—but the foundations are strong.
Key Facts at a Glance
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Name: Trey Yesavage
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High School: (Prep background building into college)
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College: East Carolina University (ECU)
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Draft Pick: 2024 MLB Draft, 1st Round, 20th overall to Toronto Blue Jays
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Signing Bonus: Approx. US$4,177,500 (slightly over slot)
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Base Salary (early years): ~US$760,000 in 2025, ~US$820,000 in 2026 (per public sources)
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Position / Profile: Right-handed pitcher, fastball 93-98 mph, with splitter & slider
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Outlook: High‐potential college arm with expectation of reaching major leagues if all goes well.
Final Thoughts
In the world of MLB drafts, contracts and bonuses, Trey Yesavage is a textbook example of a college arm who earned a first‐round slot and was rewarded accordingly. His story from high school prospect to college ace, to major-league hopeful, provides insight into how teams evaluate pitching talent, how bonus pools work, and how early career finances are structured for potential major‐league players.
For those watching the Blue Jays’ farm system, draft economics, or pitching prospects generally, Yesavage’s journey is one to follow: the signing bonus is substantial, but the real work begins now—development, adaptation, consistency. If he hits his stride, the bonus will look like a wise investment; if not, the journey will still reflect the challenges of turning promise into performance. Either way, his story contributes to the ever-evolving narrative of how baseball organisations build for the future.
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