Imagine a rising baseball star, once on the brink of greatness, suddenly derailed by injuries and setbacks. That’s the story of Alek Manoah, a pitcher whose journey from dominance to doubt has captivated fans and analysts alike. But here’s where it gets inspiring: his comeback is officially underway, and the early signs are promising.
Back in April 2022, when I first interviewed Manoah for FanGraphs, he was a force to be reckoned with. Pitching for the Toronto Blue Jays, the then-24-year-old had a stellar 12-2 record and a 3.05 ERA across 23 starts since his major league debut in May 2021. By season’s end, he’d improved even further, boasting a 25-9 record, a 2.60 ERA, and just 221 hits allowed over 308 1/3 innings in 51 career starts. His performance earned him a third-place finish in the American League Cy Young Award voting—a clear sign of his potential as a future ace.
And this is the part most people miss: despite his early success, Manoah’s career took a sharp downturn. The Homestead, Florida native struggled through a disastrous 2023, plagued by declining command, reduced velocity, and nagging shoulder and elbow injuries. The low point came in June 2024, when he underwent surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament. His recovery was far from smooth, and he managed just 38 1/3 innings last season, none of them in the majors. His time with the Blue Jays ended, and a brief stint with another team fizzled out. But here’s the twist: after being claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves and later signing with the Los Angeles Angels, Manoah is now at the center of what can only be described as the Alek Manoah Reclamation Project.
The project is off to a promising start. Last Sunday, Manoah took the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks and delivered two scoreless innings, throwing 25 of his 36 pitches for strikes and allowing only two walks. Even more encouraging? His four-seam fastball hit 93-94 mph—a significant jump from the 89-92 mph range he struggled with last season and closer to the 93.9 mph he averaged during his 2022 All-Star campaign.
When I caught up with the 6-foot-6 pitcher at Angels camp on Monday, he attributed his velocity rebound to a full offseason of recovery post-Tommy John surgery and some mechanical tweaks. ‘I think it was my getting a full offseason after the TJ rehab, and being able to work on some little mechanical adjustments,’ Manoah explained. ‘Continue to take that out there over and over again.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: while Manoah’s progress is undeniable, questions remain about his long-term prospects. Can he regain the dominance he once had, or will he settle into a more modest role as a reliable starter? His slider, once his signature weapon, is still a work in progress. ‘The biggest thing I’ve worked on is the consistency of the slider,’ he admitted. ‘After rehab, that can be the one pitch where it’s toughest to have that flip-it-in-there-for-a-strike feel.’ Meanwhile, his changeup—a pitch he threw frequently during long toss—may have benefited from the rehab process, though he’s cautious about pushing it too hard post-surgery.
As for the fans, especially those in Los Angeles, the debate is on. Should they temper their expectations or dare to dream of a full-fledged comeback? One thing is certain: if Manoah succeeds, he’ll have a new cheering section—his 10-month-old son, who’ll be in the stands for the first time this year. ‘We’re in a good place,’ Manoah said with a smile. ‘Maybe someday you’ll be able to interview him.’
Thought-provoking question for you: Do you think Alek Manoah can return to his 2022 form, or is a more modest comeback the more realistic outcome? Let’s hear your take in the comments!
