Call to the pen
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Toronto Blue Jays hoping for boost from Alek Manoah

By David Hill

Mar 14, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting Alek Manoah (75) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2021; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting Alek Manoah (75) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees during the first inning at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Blue Jays rotation has been a tale of two halves. While they have gotten solid production from Hyun Jin Ryu, Steven Matz, and Robbie Ray, the same cannot be said for the bottom part of the staff. This is an area that the Blue Jays will need to address in the coming weeks.

Hope may be on the horizon however. The Blue Jays are set to promote prospect Alek Manoah, as he is scheduled to make his major league debut on Wednesday.

Alek Manoah completes meteoric rise through Toronto Blue Jays system

The 11th overall selection in the 2019 MLB Draft, Manoah did not spend much time in the Blue Jays’ system before getting the call. He has a grand total of nine games in the minors, with three at Triple-A. It would be fair to wonder if Manoah is ready for this moment.

More Blue Jays. Tapping into Ray at the right time. light

But that ignores how he has performed. While he had a solid showing in his six outings in Vancouver in 2019, he has taken it to another level this year. Manoah has dominated at Triple-A, allowing just one run on seven hits and three walks over his 18 innings, striking out 27 batters. He is clearly ready for the next challenge, his lack of experience be damned.

There are some questions about Manoah’s long term role. He spent more time in the bullpen than in the rotation during the start of his collegiate career, and his secondary pitches do need some work. However, his excellent fastball, either as a four seam or two seamer, has impressive velocity and movement. His slider and change have both improved, but could stand more refinement.

Even with those questions, the Blue Jays have nothing to lose. The bottom part of their rotation has not lived up to expectations, and it remains to be seen if Ray and/or Matz can continue their strong start to the season. If Manoah can come out of the gates firing the way he did in Triple-A, he could be the solution.

Next. Alomar placed on ineligible list. dark

The Toronto Blue Jays need to find more depth to their rotation. Top prospect Alek Manoah is getting the chance to stake a claim to one of those spots.

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