Preseason AL Cy Young favorite Alek Manoah sent back down to the minor leagues
Manoah has officially hit rock bottom.
Alek Manoah entered this season with expectations of being the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching diamond. Instead, he’s officially getting demoted after 13 starts, a 6.36 ERA, and comical folly involving the pitcher trying to blow a bunted ball foul.
On Tuesday, it was revealed the Blue Jays were sending Manoah to the Florida Complex League — a.k.a. the minor leagues. In a stunning fall from grace for a 2022 All-Star, it truly might be the worst-case scenario for someone many saw shining in 2023.
Seriously, entering this season, Manoah was tied for the third-best consensus odds (+900) to win the AL Cy Young, behind only Gerrit Cole (+600) and Jacob deGrom (+400). Here are those preseason numbers laid out for better context:
- Jacob deGrom (+400)
- Gerrit Cole (+600)
- Dylan Cease (+900)
- Carlos Rodon (+900)
- Alek Manoah (+900)
Cease and the disappointing Chicago White Sox aside, everyone else on this list has more or less lived up to their billing — making Manoah’s chaotic results stick out like a sore thumb.
Who knows? Maybe a stint in the minor leagues will help the pitcher regain his top form. But, for now, it’s undoubtedly shocking to see a supposed star on paper like Manoah lose his shine so dramatically.
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