MLB analyst puts the spotlight on Alek Manoah in the Angels rotation originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Alek Manoah has had quite the journey across Major League Baseball so far. The University of West Virginia product made a name for himself in college and was selected 11th overall in the 2019 MLB Draft.
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After a few seasons in the minors, Monah made his debut. He would get a taste of action in 2021, but really came to life in 2022. He started 31 games, compiling a 16-7 record with 180 strikeouts on 196.2 innings of work.
After completing a 6.0 WAR season, the following season would be much different. He faced a drastic decline, which would eventually send him to rookie ball.
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MLB analyst puts the spotlight on Alek Manoah in the Angels rotation
In 2024, Manoah tried to rebound, but he would end up facing an injury. He suffered a UCL injury that required surgery.
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Manoah pitched mainly in the minor leagues last season and has now found a new home with the Los Angeles Angels. The two sides agreed on a one-year, $1.95 million contract.
He should work as a backend guy for the Angels, but Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter believes he could be key to this rotation.
“An ace on the rise as recently as the 2022 season, Alek Manoah has not made an appearance in the majors since May 29, 2024. With Tommy John surgery now in the rearview, he will look to get his career back on track with a one-year, $1.95 million deal. If he pitches well, he has one year of arbitration control remaining, and would give the rotation a major boost.”
Manoah is certainly a gamble, but with a year removed from Tommy John surgery should help. It is hard to believe all the talent that got him here just vanished. He still has the ability to be a great pitcher; he just needs to find that again.
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