Blue Jays sign first-round pick Alek Manoah

Selected on Monday during the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft, 21-year-old pitcher Alek Manoah has signed with the Jays for slot value.

One of the least surprising draft pick signings from this draft, the West Virginia ace was expected to take the contract and start his professional baseball career.

College ball has nothing left for him — nominated for the Dick Howser trophy, Manoah and his 2.03 ERA in 108.1 innings pitched this year is ready to head to the minor leagues.

The most likely destination for Manoah to play for the rest of the year, and one that has been rumoured since he’s been draft, is the Low-A Vancouver Canadians — skipping rookie ball. Vancouver’s season starts on June 14th at the Nat.

2017 first-rounder Nate Pearson started his time in the Blue Jays system with Vancouver as well, pitching 19 innings there the summer he was drafted.

The one draftee from the Jays last week that is still waiting to be signed is high-school Kendall Williams. Drafted with the 52nd overall pick in the second round, the 6-foot-6 lanky pitcher is currently committed to Vanderbilt Univesity — whether he honours that commitment or becomes professional will be discovered soon enough.