Grow Up Alek

Despite all the hype surrounding Alek Manoah, the 2023 season has been a nightmare for the pitcher. However, that wasn’t the worst thing that Alek Manoah did this season. It was reported that Alek Manoah was so upset with being sent down that he didn’t show up. Making matters worse, he hasn’t been throwing or working out. Alek Manoah has a lot of growing up to do if he wants to pitch in the big leagues again.

A Breakout 2022 Season

Alek Manoah was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2022. He finished the season with a record of 16-7, an ERA of 2.24, 180 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 0.092. Manoah would make his first all-star team and even be mic’d up for the game. The young righty’s success on the mound ultimately helped the Toronto Blue Jays get into the postseason. At the end of the season, Manoah would be selected as a finalist for the Cy Young Award. Manoah was adored by Blue Jays fans not only for his pitching prowess; but how he was able to antagonize opposing teams and their fans.

A Nightmare 2023 Season

Before the 2023 season began, there was a lot of hype surrounding Manoah as the next-best pitcher in baseball. Many people predicted he would win the AL Cy Young Award. However, nobody could’ve predicted just how bad Alek Manoah was going to be this season. After beginning the year 1-7 with an ERA of 6.36, the Jays sent him down to rookie ball. Upon his return to the big leagues, Manoah would have a brief resurgence before ultimately imploding again. Toronto then sent him down again, this time to their Triple-A team in Buffalo.  

Ditching His Minor League Assignment

Major League Baseball typically allows a player up to three days to report for their minor league assignment. However, it was recently reported that Alek Manoah was so upset with being demoted that he didn’t show up. He instead went and got medical testing which showed no physical damage. The only thing that appears to be damaged is his ego. Making matters worse, Manoah isn’t even throwing or working out and is instead just lounging. The Jays just added him to the inactive list to clear up his Triple-A roster spot. This effectively ends his tumultuous season.

Alek Manoah Has Handled His Demotion Like A Child

Thousands of players disagree with being demoted to the minor leagues every season. However, most handle it like professionals, get on the bus, and are motivated to prove their teams wrong. Meanwhile, Alek Manoah handled it like a little boy who throws a temper tantrum when he doesn’t get his way. His ego is also apparently preventing him from understanding that he has been a liability to his teams success. This hurts his career in the long term so badly that it’ll take a while for him to fix his relationship with the team.

The Big Leagues Aren’t For Little Kids

Alek Manoah thinks he’s entitled to a spot on the Toronto Blue Jays. He couldn’t be more wrong. He selfishly gave up on his teammates, coaches, the city of Toronto, and worst of all himself. His entitled attitude doesn’t belong on a Major League Baseball team. I’m having a hard time believing that Alek Manoah will be pitching for the Jays anytime soon. After all, pitching for a big league team is a privilege not a right for adults and professionals.

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Featured Image: Mark Blinch/Getty Images