From Cy Young contender to struggling pitcher, the story of Alek Manoah is a cautionary tale – and now, the Los Angeles Angels are betting they can rewrite the ending. Can they resurrect his once-promising career? Let's dive in.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Los Angeles Angels have inked former Cy Young Award finalist Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95 million contract. This move comes after the Atlanta Braves, who claimed him off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays in September, decided not to tender him a contract last month, effectively making him a free agent. The Blue Jays, once high on Manoah, parted ways after a series of struggles.
So, what exactly happened to Alek Manoah? His journey is a rollercoaster of early success followed by a dramatic decline. Drafted 11th overall by Toronto in the 2019 MLB draft out of West Virginia University, Manoah burst onto the scene in May 2021. Over 20 starts, he posted an impressive 3.22 ERA across 111.2 innings, hinting at a bright future. He showed flashes of brilliance, immediately establishing himself as a presence on the mound.
But here's where it gets controversial... Even in that promising rookie season, there were warning signs. Manoah hit a concerning 16 batters, leading the American League in that dubious category. While some might dismiss it as youthful aggression, it foreshadowed the control issues that would later plague him.
2022 seemed to solidify Manoah's status as a rising star. He pitched 196.2 innings with a stellar 2.24 ERA, earning him a third-place finish in Cy Young voting, behind only Justin Verlander and Dylan Cease (who, interestingly, recently joined the Blue Jays). He even showcased his talent on the All-Star stage, striking out the side in a dominant inning of work.
And this is the part most people miss... Again, control proved to be a lingering concern. He hit 15 batters, once again topping the AL. While his overall performance masked the issue, it was a crack in the foundation.
Unfortunately, things took a sharp turn for the worse. The control that Manoah demonstrated in his first two seasons completely vanished in 2023. In just 87.1 innings, his ERA ballooned to a disastrous 5.87. He walked 59 batters and hit another 9, his advanced stats painted an even grimmer picture with a 6.01 FIP. To make matters worse, he surrendered 15 home runs, leading to a significant portion of the season spent in the minor leagues – a far cry from his Cy Young contention just a year prior.
Manoah's woes continued into 2024. After only five starts, a torn UCL in June required surgery, prematurely ending his season. After a few rehab starts in 2025, he was optioned to AAA-Buffalo. Following seven starts there, Manoah was designated for assignment in September.
So, what's next for Manoah and the Angels? At 28 years old in January, Manoah still has time to turn his career around. We have seen countless pitchers orchestrate a successful comeback in recent years, like Erick Fedde, who revitalized his career after a stint in the minor leagues and overseas. If Manoah hopes to join their ranks, he must regain his command of the strike zone and reduce the walks and hit batters that have become his Achilles' heel.
With the guidance of Mike Maddux, the Angels' newly appointed pitching coach, Manoah has a chance to learn from his past mistakes, rediscover the control that made him a top prospect, and potentially resurrect his career. Maddux has a reputation for working wonders with struggling pitchers, and his expertise could be the key to unlocking Manoah's potential.
Because his contract is fully guaranteed, Manoah is likely to have a spot in the Angels' starting rotation. He will have every opportunity to prove he can return to form.
The Angels were in dire need of starting pitching this offseason and previously added young pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, showing their commitment to bolstering the rotation. This move is unlikely to be the last for an Angels team determined to improve after languishing at the bottom of the AL West. They're clearly looking for diamonds in the rough, hoping Manoah can be one of them.
Will Alek Manoah reclaim his former glory, or is this the last chance for a once-promising career? Can Mike Maddux truly work his magic? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Do you think the Angels made a smart move, or is this a gamble that won't pay off?
