Trey Yesavage's rookie postseason run made him a household name, and now he's an extension candidate.

Drafted 20th overall in 2024, Yesavage made a rapid climb through the minors and debuted in mid-September last season.

He helped clinch a postseason berth in just his second career start, then helped the Blue Jays win the AL East in his next one.

His playoff debut against the Yankees was dominant, five hitless innings while setting the single-season franchise record for postseason strikeouts with 11.

He capped that run by setting the all-time rookie record for World Series strikeouts with 12.

This season hasn't fully carried that momentum, but he's still looked like a genuine major-league pitcher when healthy. Across 18 starts, he carries a 3.65 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP.

Injuries have been the real story, starting the year on the IL and later suffering a meniscus injury that's kept him out recently. He's now set to return Tuesday in Buffalo.

Why the Hunter Greene comparison makes the most sense

At just 23, Yesavage fits exactly the profile a front office should be exploring for a pre-arbitration extension before the current CBA expires.

Locking him in now could buy out real free agent years and keep him cost-controlled if he outperforms whatever deal gets signed.

The precedent here is thin. Only two pitchers have signed pre-arb extensions with just over one year of service time: Spencer Strider and Hunter Greene.

Strider had accumulated 4.8 WAR before signing his deal. Greene had 1.6 WAR after his 2022 debut.

Yesavage currently sits at 1.8 WAR for his career, a number that would likely be higher had he stayed healthy all season.

That WAR total lines up closer to Greene's situation than Strider's, which suggests something in the range of Greene's six-year, $53 million extension would be a reasonable starting point for negotiations.

Toronto's rotation has dealt with injury after injury this season, making a talent like Yesavage even more valuable to secure long-term before his price only grows.

Whether the front office moves on this before the offseason, or waits to see more of his return performance first, is the real decision facing Toronto's baseball operations department.