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MLB Fans Were Stunned by Alek Manoah’s Embarrassing First Start in Rookie League
Less than a year removed from an appearance in the MLB All-Star Game and finishing in the top three for the American League Cy Young Award, Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah’s precipitous decline continued with an embarrassing showing in the Florida Complex League Tuesday.
Manoah, who had been demoted to rookie ball in Florida after a disastrous start to his 2023 season, made his first appearance in a game since early June and got shelled, giving up 10 hits and 11 earned runs in less than three innings of work against a Yankees affiliate. He also gave up two home runs in the outing.
Alek Manoah in his first rookie ball start today against the Florida Complex League Yankees:
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 27, 2023
2.2 IP, 11 ER, 10 H, 2 HR, 3 K, 2 BB pic.twitter.com/ZV3dBVd2n9
Manoah had a 1–7 record with a 6.36 ERA in 13 MLB starts this season. News of this ugly showing and his continued struggles has baseball fans everywhere reacting, some feeling bad for the former ace and some taking the opportunity to troll Manoah.
I really hope he can find his footing again.
— Depressed New York Fan (@JudgeEnjoyer) June 27, 2023
He’s a Top 10 pitcher in baseball when he’s on.
You hate to see this happen to anyone. #NextLevel https://t.co/iz8qFypQN5
Can anyone think of a historical comparison for what has happened to Alek Manoah? From an All-Star receiving Cy Young & MVP votes to this. Legitimately shocking. I feel bad for him. https://t.co/DvEMp3wuCQ
— Sammy James🔺 (@HebHammer94) June 27, 2023
Genuinely wondering how on earth you mentally recover from being demoted from the Majors to rookie ball and then giving up 11 EARNED RUNS in less than 3 innings in your first start https://t.co/DHnLPGAqYD
— Danielle Blake (@abradacabla) June 27, 2023
Pressure is something you put in your tires. -Alek Manoah https://t.co/kGwobiCiHu
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) June 27, 2023
One day you’re calling Gerrit Cole the biggest cheater in sports, the next the rookie ball Yankees are putting up 11 against you in 3 innings.
— Erin ⚾️💙 (@Eriy_bear16) June 27, 2023
Life comes at you fast https://t.co/p4epJY5N97
Kevin Sweeney is a staff writer at Sports Illustrated covering college basketball and the NBA draft. He joined the SI staff in July 2021 and also serves host and analyst for The Field of 68. Sweeney is a Naismith Trophy voter and ia member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.