Stock Down: Alek Manoah
It’s not many times that a team ends up in both Stock Up and Stock Down in the same week, but the Blue Jays are there this week.
What a difference a year makes for Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah. He has gone from getting votes for the Cy Young in 2022 to likely ending his season early because of a decision he has made since being sent to Triple-A by Toronto.
Last season he went 16-7 with a 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 192.2 innings while striking out 180, which earned him Cy Young votes following the season. This season has not been good for the right-hander, who is 3-9 with a 5.87 ERA with a 1.74 WHIP and just 79 strikeouts in 87.1 innings pitched.
He was sent down to the minors once already earlier this season to the Florida Complex League before making a stop at Triple-A Buffalo. He was sent back down on August 11, but he remained in the Toronto area not accepting the assignment. He has since met with doctors about wear and tear on his knee, but his 2023 season is likely over.
Count me as someone who saw him as a top-of-the-rotation starter this season, but that never materialized. The Blue Jays are fighting for one of the last two Wild Card spots and missing Manoah’s arm is big this season that is turning into a season that the 25-year-old would rather forget.