Alek Manoah had the tall task of trying to match the production of the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball when he took the mound against Indianapolis in triple-A action on Tuesday.
And not only did he go pitch for pitch with Paul Skenes, the Blue Jays right-hander had his best outing of the season for the Buffalo Bisons. The 26-year-old pitched six innings, closing with 12 strikeouts, two walks, two hits and one earned run. He threw 92 pitches, 62 of which were strikes while maxing out at 95.9 m.p.h. with a sinker.
Manoah’s only real miscue of the day came in the sixth inning when he threw a slider that was crushed by Nick Gonzales for a solo shot and the only run of the game to that point.
The former Jays ace responded well though, promptly striking out Yasmani Grandal to retire the side and end his day against the Pittsburgh Pirates affiliate.
Meanwhile, Skenes finished the day with seven strikeouts, a walk and four hits through six innings.
It was a much-needed performance for Manoah, who was roughed up for six runs in three innings last time out for Buffalo.
Manoah’s 12 strikeouts ties the most in a game in his professional career. The last time he had 10 or more strikeouts at any level, prior to Tuesday, was June 2023 while down in double-A, and he hasn’t done it in the majors since October 2021 against the Baltimore Orioles.
The one-time All-Star’s impressive outing was auspicious timing considering Toronto — already without relievers Chad Green (right teres major strain) and Bowden Francis (right forearm extensor tendinitis) — added starters Yariel Rodriguez (thoracic spine inflammation) to the 15-day IL, a few hours before Manoah took the mound against Indianapolis.
With a hole in the starting rotation now that Rodriguez is out, and Manoah appearing to find his form, it could mean a call-up is around the corner. And for what it’s worth, the 30-day rehab window for Manoah ends on Monday.
