A former Blue Jays top prospect has found a new home on the West Coast.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported earlier today that right-hander Alek Manoah has agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels worth $1.95 million. The Florida product was DFA’d by Toronto in mid-September, and the Atlanta Braves claimed him off waivers shortly after; however, he did not pitch for them before the season’s end. Atlanta non-tendered him in mid-November.

At the time of the designation, Manoah was rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in the Jays’ minor league system and had progressed to Triple-A Buffalo at the time of the roster move.

Across 10 MiLB appearances this past year, he posted a 3.95 ERA through 38 2/3 innings of work while striking out 35 batters to the tune of a 1.53 WHIP. Those numbers were skewed by his early rehab starts, as his seven starts with the Bisons yielded much better results. Through seven outings (33 1/3 innings) with the top affiliate, the 6-foot-6 product authored a 2.97 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP, holding opponents to a .218 average while allowing just 11 earned runs.

Fans may remember Manoah for his impressive sophomore campaign with the Blue Jays, as the West Virginia alum pitched to a 2.24 ERA and a 3.35 FIP across 31 starts and 196 2/3 innings, finishing third in AL Cy Young voting while making the All-Star squad.

Things went off the rails for Manoah in 2023, as the starter struggled mightily with his command to the point where the Jays sent him back to Single-A Dunedin so he could get some work in at the Player Development Complex. He made just 19 starts in the big leagues that year.

Following his rough season, Manoah returned to the Jays’ rotation in early May of 2024 after dealing with shoulder inflammation during Spring Training that sidelined him for Opening Day and through April. He made five starts, allowing just 10 earned runs across 24 1/3 innings before leaving his last start with elbow discomfort that later turned into Tommy John surgery.

With the Angels, Manoah will reunite with former Jays southpaw Yusei Kikuchi and should enter Spring Training with a shot at a rotation spot alongside Kikuchi, Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano, and newcomer Grayson Rodriguez.

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