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Toronto Blue Jays: The Next Top 100 Prospects

By Callum Belshaw

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Alejandro Kirk #85 of the Toronto Blue Jays grabs the baseball on a wild pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2020 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Alejandro Kirk #85 of the Toronto Blue Jays grabs the baseball on a wild pitch during the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2020 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 16: A detailed view of a Toronto Blue Jays baseball hat and glove sitting on the dugout steps during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 16: A detailed view of a Toronto Blue Jays baseball hat and glove sitting on the dugout steps during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on July 16, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 6-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

SP Alek Manoah: Drafted 2019 Round 1 Pick 11

GM Ross Aktins has done a really nice job drafting in the first round recently.  His 2018 and 2020 first rounders, Jordan Groshans and Austin Martin are already top 100 prospects and 2019 first rounder Alek Manoah may be joining them soon.

The former West Virginia Star was the top ranked RHP heading into the 2019 draft and the Jays were able to scoop him up at pick number 11.  Manoah dominated in his pro debut, posting an impressive 2.65 ERA in six starts in low A, though he threw just 17 innings.  Manoah is a big dude, standing at 6’6” 260lbs and he uses this big frame to throw a great fastball that sits 94 to 97 MPH.

Along with his power fastball, Manoah has a plus slider and is developing a change up which has the potential to be an effective third pitch.  Manoah’s change up will be the key to whether he is a starter or a reliever at the next level as starters have to have at least three pitches so Manoah’s change up will be crucial for his development.

Manoah was the Jays number five prospect in 2020 and is right on the cusp of being a top 100 prospect, so a good 2021 season should put him on that list.

Projected 2021: Start in AA New Hampshire; End in AAA Buffalo

Projected MLB Arrival: Early-Mid 2022

Projected Debut On Pipeline’s Top 100: Mid Season 2021

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