Things are not looking sharp for Alek Manoah, who surrendered 6 runs and a home run in his most recent outing. To make matters worse, he pitched just one and two-thirds of an inning. From a third-place Cy Young contender to a lack of control pitching in Single-A, who knows if Manoah will ever be an effective big league again. There were hopes that he could have a rebound season, but in Spring Training, he looked rusty and continues to showcase struggles in the minors.
The Downfall of This Blue Jays Pitcher
The Case of Alek Manoah
This… this is not good as Alek Manoah just walked in a run. pic.twitter.com/Bt9uy70l71
— Brennan Delaney (@Brennan_L_D) April 7, 2024
And now, in the minors and Single-A Dunedin, he’s continued to spiral downward. It’s really that ugly for Manoah, who threw just 2 strikes in his first 18 pitches and allowed 4 straight walks, quickly providing a run to the Lakeland Flying Tigers. They are a team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. Who would have thought that a young pitcher starting off his major league career so successful would-be facing adversity? Nobody guessed this would occur, which must be frustrating for the 26-year-old. One issue for Manoah after analyzing his most recent outing is that he doesn’t look balanced throwing, as he was stumbling off the mound. Pointing to his lack of control with his pitches.
I really believe that Alek Manoah could have a lot solved for him, if he spent a few hours with Mark Buerhle. Just throw the pitch being called. It worked for him, it worked for Nuke Laloosh, probably work for him. @BlueJaysDad @Wilnerness @Alek_Manoah6
— Mark Wendling (@MarkWendling) April 9, 2024
Manoah is getting an opportunity to do a rehab assignment for AAA Buffalo, which is odd considering his lousy start in Dunedin and his start in Buffalo. Will Manoah figure things out, or will it continue to be an uphill battle for him? His mental game could be a factor in losing his confidence on the mound. Last season, there were issues with his control and pitching mechanics. It appears that these issues are lingering on into 2024.
Will Manoah Turn Things Around?
This downfall of Alek Manoah needs to be studied, as adjustments and improvements have not been visible. They need to get down to the issue, and Manoah should only get opportunities to pitch at higher levels once he is ready. He should in no way, shape, or form be rushed if he’s not ready. There’s nothing wrong with taking more time to work on what needs to change for Manoah. He’s consistently been showcasing struggles on the mound, and it’s unfortunate for a young pitcher who most evidently must have had high hopes for himself and the Blue Jays. This highlights how significant confidence is in baseball. Your mental game is just as important as your physical. Seeing how Manoah pitches in his rehab AAA assignment will surely be interesting.
Main Photo Credits: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
