Once a Cy Young finalist, the former All-Star faces an uncertain future after a disastrous minor league collapse and plummeting velocity ended his gamble in Los Angeles.
The end of the road has come for right-handed starting pitcher Alek Manoah, as he was released from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday morning. The move comes after allowing 60 runs in just 35 minor league innings across Single-A and Triple-A this season.
Manoah also had a shot in the majors earlier in the season, but his 9.82 ERA in three relief appearances saw him sent down to the minors back in the middle of May. The 28-year-old never found the minors to be easier, ultimately resulting in an unconditional release from the organization.
The former All-Star signed with the Halos for $1.95 million back in December after spending every season in the Toronto Blue Jays organization since being selected by them in the first round of the 2019 draft.
Former Angels general manager Perry Minasian took a gamble on Manoah, who once reached as high as third place in Cy Young voting in 2022.
In that sophomore season, Manoah posted a 2.24 ERA and 0.99 WHIP on his way to 16 wins. The right-hander never reached those heights again as injuries dropped his velocity and hampered his control, resulting in a demotion in 2023.
Minasian knew of Manoah’s recent struggles, but took a chance on the righty who had two more years of team control left. Although it didn’t work out for either party, it provided both sides with a high-reward opportunity.
Manoah’s professional future is up in the air after his release, as his performance in the minor leagues is sure to scare away most teams. Baseball is an unpredictable world, however, and because his potential has already been flashed once before, all it takes is one team to take yet another chance on the righty in hopes of nursing him back to his 2022 levels.
It’s hard to imagine a team seriously considering adding him, however, as he truly looks to be a shell of himself on the mound. Previously sitting in the mid-90s with his four-seamer, Manoah struggled to hit 90 during 2026, resulting in a drop in usage.
The baseball gods can be cruel at times, but Manoah got to experience more than most ever will. Over four seasons of MLB service, which included one season of dominance that saw him shoot to the top of the baseball world. Though his story may be over too quickly, Manoah’s peak won’t be forgotten by many.
