Players typically do not show much emotion during spring training, but one Colorado Rockies pitcher seems to be treating every moment like he is on the mound for Game 7 of the World Series.
Rockies pitcher Jefry Yan has become known for breaking into an animated display every time he strikes a hitter out. The left-hander usually leaps into the air like he just recorded the final out of the biggest game of his life.
Yan pitched one inning of relief in the Rockies’ 14-3 Cactus League win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. The 28-year-old surrendered a double and a walk but struck out the side and did not allow a run. Following each strikeout, Yan did some version of his patented celebration.
The celebrations look just as wild from the regular game broadcast view:
Find something you love in life as much as Jefry Yan loves strikeouts 😃@Rockies | @JancarlosYan pic.twitter.com/nAkp34nIlH
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) February 26, 2025
Yan, who has bounced around the minors since 2014, was asked recently about his flamboyant enthusiasm. The 28-year-old said he is just trying to have fun and does not view his celebration as showing up opposing players.
“I’m electric. I like to have fun. I enjoy baseball,” Yan said, via MLB.com’s Jack Magruder.
Yan said the celebrations are “nothing I do to offend the other team” and that they have been a part of his routine since he was a kid.
“I will always want to celebrate every out that I get. I’m just happy to do my job,” Yan added. “I’m happy to get outs. It’s something I do to enjoy the game.”
With a 4.53 ERA across 149 career minor-league appearances, it is unlikely that Yan will make an impact for the Rockies at the MLB level in the near future. That certainly has not stopped him from making a name for himself.
