MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Dodger Stadium crowd and an expanded national television audience were treated to the pitching prowess and personality that Alek Manoah put on display at Monongalia County Ballpark just a few years ago.
On Tuesday night, Manoah became the first former Mountaineer to appear in an MLB All-Star Game. Wearing an earpiece and a wireless microphone to speak with FOX Sports broadcast announcers in between pitches, Manoah struck out three batters in a scoreless second inning for the American League All-Stars.
Manoah opened the inning with strikeouts of William Contreras and Joc Pederson. After hitting Jeff McNeil with a pitch, Manoah ended the inning with a strikeout of Ronald Acuna, Jr.
In his second season in the big leagues, the Toronto Blue Jays right-hander has posted a 10-4 record with a 2.28 ERA in 18 starts. Manoah stands third in the AL in innings pitched (114 2/3), fourth in ERA, and 12th in strikeouts (103). Opposing batters are hitting just .205 against him.
“Right down the middle, but we’ll take it! Three punchies! LET’S GOOOOOOO!!!”
Alek Manoah was HYPED 😆 pic.twitter.com/X4K98XOvIO
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 20, 2022
Manoah was selected by the Blue Jays in the first round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Fellow former Mountaineer pitcher John Means was selected to the American League All-Star team in 2019, but did not appear in the game.