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Alek Manoah was one of the MLB’s top pitchers in 2022, finishing third in the AL Cy Young voting following an incredible year in Toronto. Unfortunately, his 2023 hasn’t been as enjoyable.
The righty posted a 6.36 ERA over his first 13 starts which led to a demotion in early June. The final straw came in an outing against Houston where he allowed six runs on seven hits.
He’s now trying to make it back to the bigs, working his way through the minor league system. His first start didn’t go as planned.
Manoah failed to make it out of the third inning in his Florida Complex League appearance, allowing 11 runs on 10 hits. He gave up nearly as many home runs (2) as he had strikeouts (3) while also surrendering a pair of walks.
Many around the baseball world are now reacting to that start.
Alek Manoah is still getting eaten up in the Florida Complex League. 😬
He couldn’t get out of the third inning. pic.twitter.com/uwdNgbnPkp
— Covers (@Covers) June 27, 2023
Some are asking if this is the biggest fall in recent sports memory. In his two years prior, Manoah was a Rookie of the Year candidate and a Cy Young contender.
We’re going to need a 30 for 30 on the rise and fall of Alek Manoah
— Above Average Prop Guy (@AboveAvgPropGuy) June 27, 2023
Making things worse, Manoah’s start was against a Yankees minor league team. Fans in the Bronx have been piling on.
ALEK MANOAH JUST FINISHED HIS FIRST START IN THE FLORIDA COMPLEX LEAGUE AND OH MY GOD
LMFAOAOAOAOAOOAOAOAOAOAOAO pic.twitter.com/n9JfcfyQMo
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) June 27, 2023
This latest performance came in the Rookie League where he’s competing against 18-, 19-, and 20-year-old competition.
Alek Manoah just gave up 11 runs in rookie ball…. pic.twitter.com/1zTCY1EdcH
— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) June 27, 2023
It’s not the start he wanted to get off to in his return to the mound. Hopefully, things turn around quickly for the starting pitcher as Toronto could use him for a potential playoff push.