The New York Mets finally gave Jefry Yan his long-awaited Major League Baseball debut and the 29-year-old rookie wasted no time making an unforgettable impression. Yan touched 101.1 mph, escaped a bases-loaded jam that he helped create and celebrated his three outs with enough flair to make it feel like he had brought his own halftime show to the mound.
Yan worked one scoreless inning in New York’s thrilling 6-5, 10-inning victory over Cleveland. Somehow, that brief appearance was enough for him to throw the eight fastest pitches recorded by a Mets pitcher this season, hear boos from a crowd of 29,033 and instantly become one of the most memorable figures of the night.
Jefry Yan Brings His Signature Celebration to the Big Leagues
Yan recorded his first MLB strikeout by freezing Angel Martinez with an 88.7 mph slider. Instead of simply taking the baseball and walking back to the dugout, Yan immediately launched into his trademark celebration, jumping into the air, spreading his legs, landing near the front of the mound and slapping the dirt.
For most rookies, a first strikeout is a moment to quietly savor. Yan celebrated as if he had just won a championship, hit the lottery and discovered a plate of mozzarella sticks waiting for him in the clubhouse.
Things became considerably more stressful from there.
Yan allowed two singles and a walk, putting the bases loaded with just one out. For a pitcher making his major-league debut on the road, it was hardly the ideal situation.
But Yan responded when it mattered most. He struck out Chase Delauter on a check swing, a play that also led to Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt being ejected. Yan then forced Jo Adell into a ground-ball forceout, escaping the inning without allowing a run.
Naturally, another celebration followed.
Yan jumped, slapped his glove, screamed toward the sky and even blew a kiss upward after escaping the threat. Cleveland’s fans responded with a chorus of boos as he headed toward the dugout, but the rookie clearly wasn’t bothered.
“They can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone, and I’m going to enjoy my game.”
After escaping a bases-loaded situation of his own making, that confidence was certainly understandable.
Yan’s Fastball May Be Even More Impressive Than His Celebrations
While Yan’s celebrations immediately became the story, his performance also showed that there is legitimate talent behind the theatrics.
The elaborate reactions aren’t something he invented for his MLB debut. Yan became known for his dramatic, leaping celebrations while pitching in the minor leagues and Dominican Winter League. Even before his promotion, he made it clear that reaching the majors wasn’t going to change who he was.
And his arm gives him plenty of reason to celebrate.
Yan threw five pitches that reached at least 100 mph and topped out at 101.1 mph. Even more impressive, his eight fastest pitches were the eight fastest offerings thrown by a Mets pitcher this season.
That kind of velocity makes the left-hander much more than a source of entertainment. It also gives New York a potentially intriguing bullpen weapon.
Yan’s journey to the majors makes his debut even more remarkable.
He originally signed with the Los Angeles Angels as a teenager but suffered an elbow injury at age 19 that eventually required Tommy John surgery. He then spent more than four years away from affiliated baseball. During that period, he worked as a roofer and pitched in men’s leagues before gradually rebuilding his baseball career.
His comeback eventually took him through the Marlins’ organization, Japan and the Rockies before he landed with the Mets.
Prior to receiving his major-league opportunity, Yan posted a 3.24 ERA and struck out 77 batters across 41 2/3 innings between Double-A and Triple-A. His promotion wasn’t simply about his entertaining personality or viral celebrations. He had earned the opportunity with his performance on the mound.
The Mets ultimately secured the victory when Bo Bichette delivered the go-ahead single in the 10th inning, while Daniel Duarte recorded his first save. Yan didn’t receive the decision, but his debut was arguably one of the night’s biggest stories.
After 12 years, a reconstructed elbow and a baseball journey that once included working as a roofer, Yan finally reached the majors.
And once he got there, he celebrated by practically trying to dance a hole into the mound.