Mets' Sean Manaea Enjoys Long Ride to Becoming Unofficial Ace of Pitching Staff

From Unlikely Starter to Dependable Workhorse

Sean Manaea's journey to becoming the Mets' unofficial ace has been a long and winding road. Drafted by the Royals in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft, Manaea quickly rose through the ranks, making his MLB debut in 2016. However, he struggled to find consistency and establish himself as a reliable starter.

In 2021, Manaea was traded to the Padres, where he began to turn his career around. He pitched to a 3.86 ERA in 32 starts, showing signs of the potential that made him a top prospect. The Mets acquired Manaea in a trade with the Padres in April 2022, and he has continued to impress in New York.

A Steady Presence in the Rotation

Manaea has been a steady presence in the Mets' rotation this season, making 24 starts and pitching to a 3.66 ERA. He has also struck out 158 batters in 149 innings pitched. Manaea's ability to eat innings and keep the Mets in games has been invaluable to the team's success.

In addition to his strong regular season performance, Manaea has also been a key contributor to the Mets' success in the playoffs. He started Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Padres and pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, striking out 10 batters. He also started Game 3 of the NLDS against the Braves and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing just one run.

A Valuable Asset for the Mets

Sean Manaea has proven to be a valuable asset for the Mets. He is a reliable starter who can eat innings and keep the team in games. He is also a strikeout pitcher who can miss bats when he needs to. Manaea has been a key contributor to the Mets' success this season, and he will be a big part of their plans going forward.

Conclusion

Sean Manaea's journey to becoming the Mets' unofficial ace has been a long and winding road, but he has finally arrived. He is a reliable starter who can eat innings and keep the team in games. He is also a strikeout pitcher who can miss bats when he needs to. Manaea has been a key contributor to the Mets' success this season, and he will be a big part of their plans going forward.