Trey Yesavage, RHP, Blue Jays: The first World Series was played in 1903. In all the years since, only one rookie has ever struck out 12 batters in a game—Trey Yesavage. Yes, that same Yesavage who, in 2024, was pitching for East Carolina and started 2025 in Low-A. Now, he just delivered the greatest performance by a rookie in postseason history, racking up 12 punchouts over seven commanding innings to win Game 5. The 22-year-old even got Shohei Ohtani swinging early, just moments after giving up a homer to Kiké Hernández—a glimpse of adversity that only seemed to fuel his dominance the rest of the way. Yesavage and the Blue Jays head back to Canada being just one win away from winning Toronto's first World Series since 1993.

While we never could have predicted his playoff excellence, longtime BA subscribers knew that Yesavage was ticketed for a rapid rise through the minors:

• He entered the 2024 college season as the No. 1 mid-major prospect

• He drew a Justin Verlander comparison in the days leading up to the draft

• Geoff Pontes correctly identified both Yesavage and Chase Burns as quick movers

• Matt Eddy tabbed Yesavage as a breakout prospect entering the season

Chris Suero, C/OF, Mets: Suero just can’t cool down. The red-hot prospect crushed his fourth homer in the past seven Arizona Fall League games, continuing a scorching stretch at the plate. While his bat heating up is an encouraging sign, Suero’s main focus in the AFL is gaining more experience in the outfield. The 21-year-old remains limited behind the dish, having only picked up catching about a month before signing with the Mets. Suero’s athleticism and emerging versatility could be his ticket to the big leagues.

Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF, Orioles: Bradfield Jr. continues to make an impact in the Arizona Fall League. In his latest performance, Bradfield went 2-for-3 with two walks, driving in a pair of runs and stealing two bases. The showing highlighted his signature blend of on-base ability, speed and plate discipline—traits that have been consistent throughout his first full year in professional baseball. His two swipes bring his stolen base totals to 16, which leads the Arizona Fall League. Current Brewers player Caleb Durbin holds the AFL record with 29. That's not too far out of reach for Bradfield.

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Twins: The injury bug has continued to follow Rodriguez, limiting him to just 65 games this season. Now, he’s looking to make up for lost time in LIDOM, where he hit his first home run on Thursday for Águilas Cibaeñas. The long ball was a bright spot for the Twins prospect, who has gotten off to a slow start at the plate, hitting just .133 (2-for-15) in the early going. Despite the slow offensive start, Rodriguez’s presence in the Dominican Winter League offers valuable opportunities to regain his timing, refine his approach and rebuild consistency after a season disrupted by injuries.

Daniel Espino, RHP Guardians: While Espino has seen limited action in the AFL, he made his longest outing of the fall on Thursday, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings. Espino threw a season-high 39 pitches, 23 of them strikes, showing improved stamina and command in extended work. It's actually the deepest outing of 2025, though he pitched just 0.2 innings in Triple-A Columbus at the end of the season after last tossing in 2022. Espino, 24, was the Guardians’ first-round pick back in 2019, but has been sidelined for nearly three years with different injuries.

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