Three Former Tom Sox Players on Opening Day Rosters
By: Luke Stefanisko
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- When the first pitch is thrown in the MLB season later tonight, three former Tom Sox players will be a part of a major league roster.
Those three players are Wyatt Langford (Texas), Vinnie Pasquantino (Kansas City), and Trey Yesavage (Toronto) who each spent full seasons with Charlottesville.
Wyatt Langford, LF, Texas Rangers, ‘Sox class of 2021
Langford became one of the most meteoric risers in baseball history after he spent 2021 with the Tom Sox. A part of the first team since the COVID-19 cancellation, Langford collected 38 hits and batted .345 across 34 games earning himself an All-VBL nod.
After spending two more years at the University of Florida, he became the fourth-fastest player to reach the bigs in MLB history. The Rangers made him the fourth overall pick in 2023, and he broke camp with the team the following season after just 44 minor league games. Since his MLB debut in 2024, he’s hit 38 homers and knocked in 136 runners for a Rangers team that is looking to get back to World Series form.
The left fielder is poised for a breakout season with Texas, after launching five bombs in Spring Training with a 1.468 OPS. He was recently named an under-the-radar AL MVP pick by ESPN.
Vinnie Pasquantino, 1B, Kansas City Royals, ‘Sox class of 2017
Pasquantino was a member of the first Tom Sox team to bring home the VBL championship in 2017. He played in 39 games for the ‘Sox that season, batting .337 and slugging 5 homers with 37 RBIs. After taking home All-Valley League honors, he compiled three solid seasons with Old Dominion before being drafted in the 11th round in 2019 by the Royals. He became the first Tom Sox player to reach the bigs in 2022.
Since making his debut with Kansas City, Pasquantino has held down the first base spot for the Royals. Last season, he tallied a career best 32 round trippers with 113 RBIs. He also became the first player with a three homer game in World Baseball Classic history with team Italy this past month.
He will look to lead KC back to the playoffs after the team missed the postseason in 2025. Vinnie has become one of the most beloved players in baseball for his vibrant personality and social media presence.
Trey Yesavage, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays
Yesavage, the most recent Tom Sox MLB debutant rounds out the opening day roster for Toronto. He was a member of the 2022 championship squad, making seven appearances for the ‘Sox. Impressive in his outings, he finished with a 1.73 ERA and struck out 32 batters across 26 innings in an All-Valley League level season.
Drafted 20th overall by the Blue Jays in 2024 after an impressive three years at East Carolina, it didn’t take long for Yesavage to make his way to the bigs. He pitched across five levels in the 2025 season, going from rookie ball to the MLB by season's end. Capping off an incredible year, he started game one of the World Series for Toronto, leading them to a 1-0 series lead. Getting one more nod, he took the slab for game five and spun seven innings of one-run baseball while fanning 12 Dodger batters.
Although he’ll start the season on the injured list, he will have a spot on the roster to aid the Blue Jays in their quest for redemption. Yesavage is projected to have a spot in the Jays’ rotation as soon as his right shoulder is healed. The team has the third-best odds to win the American League; Yesavage has the fifth-best odds to win AL Rookie of the Year in 2026.
30 Former Tom Sox in Minor Leagues
Several former ‘Sox will begin their season in reach of the show. Those names include Cooper Ingle (Cleveland), Kyle Nicolas (Cincinnati), Evan Justice (Colorado), Carlos Rodriguez (Milwaukee), Connor Gillispie (Philadelphia), Antonio Menendez (Arizona) and Carson Skipper (Colorado).
Follow along with all of the Tom Sox in the Pros throughout the season via social media and online at tomsox.org!
