In 2021, when he made his MLB debut with the Toronto Blue Jays, Alek Manoah looked like a star with a 3.22 ERA in 111.2 innings.
He fulfilled that promise last year, when his spectacular 2.24 ERA in 196.2 frames gave him a place among the three AL Cy Young finalists.
Things went south in 2023, though.
South, as in really south.
After conceding a whopping six earned runs and seven hits while getting just one out in his most recent outing against the Houston Astros, the team decided to send him down.
It wasn’t to Triple-A or Double-A, though: the Jays are sending him to the rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Blue Jays SP Alek Manoah is being optioned to the Florida Complex League, per the team. pic.twitter.com/IJ1Dquckhz
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) June 6, 2023
Evidently, Toronto wants Manoah away from the spotlight at the moment as he works through some issues.
Mainly, he has had severe control issues (he has handed out 6.52 walks per nine innings this year, up from just 2.33 last season) and allowed too much hard contact.
It has all resulted in an ugly 6.36 ERA in 58 frames in the current campaign.
Manoah is much, much better than that, and if there is no injury, he should be able to bounce back eventually as the team and the pitcher spot what’s wrong.
The Blue Jays need the best version of Manoah if they are going to make a deep playoff push this year.
There are other really talented pitchers on the staff but Manoah, when he is on, is probably the best of the bunch.
There is no word on how long he will stay in the Complex League, but no matter where he is, his priority should be getting himself right.
NEXT:
Bo Bichette Continues On His Dominant Run
