To achieve their 2022 objectives, the Toronto Blue Jays need the best version of young right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah.
Thankfully, they have gotten it so far in 2022.
With a 1.81 ERA in 11 starts, he has been a true star and a big reason why the Blue Jays are 33-23 so far, in possession of one of the American League’s postseason spots.
But he has been more than just a low ERA pitcher: he has been extremely consistent.
10 of his 11 outings have resulted in a quality starts (six or more innings while allowing three earned runs or fewer).
He leads the league in the category.
“His 2022 @MLB ranks: 7 Wins (1st); 10 Quality Starts (1st); 1.81 ERA (4th). He’s allowed 2 ER or less in 25 of his 31 career starts!,” the Blue Jays Twitter account wrote on Friday.
⚡️ AUTOMATIC ALEK⚡️
His 2022 @MLB ranks:
🔹 7 Wins (1st)
🔹 10 Quality Starts (1st)
🔹 1.81 ERA (4th)He’s allowed 2 ER or less in 25 of his 31 career starts! #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/Qwnyzr1jug
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 8, 2022
He Has Been Incredible In The Blue Jays Rotation
Besides pacing the league in quality starts, nobody had more wins than him before Thursday’s games.
Manoah is pitching like a six-year veteran at the peak of his physical abilities, but we often forget about the fact he is just 24 years old.
He made his MLB debut last year, and responded with a solid 3.22 ERA in 111.2 frames.
This year, the strikeouts have been a bit lacking (61 in 69.2 innings so far, after earning 127 last season in 111.2 innings), but his arsenal is as good as ever and he is actually throwing a bit harder, with an average fastball velocity of 94.2 mph.
Manoah has all the ingredients to be a successful frontline pitcher for at least a decade.
If he remains healthy, the sky is the limit for the talented right-hander.
Dominating in the AL East isn’t for everybody, and he has aced that test so far.
NEXT: Blue Jays Fans Geared Up To Watch A Top Prospect Debut