Embracing the winds of change, the 2023 MLB season ushered in a wave of adjustments for every player. With new rules taking center stage, athletes had to adapt. Pitchers hastened their deliveries, infielders traded grass for unfamiliar terrain, and batters honed their quickfire stances. Amidst this collective transformation, Alek Manoah, a pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, finds himself standing apart, struggling to find his rhythm.

As the pace of the game accelerated, the quickened tempo posed a significant challenge for the formidable Alek Manoah. Historically, his leisurely deliveries to the plate left him susceptible to fatigue. Now, faced with the demand for swiftness, Manoah must confront his endurance limitations head-on.

His game log is ugly.

Tonight was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

ARE YOU JULKING ME?#VoteJulks ⭐️ https://t.co/iW4MI75nC6 pic.twitter.com/OiZG3id7ol

— Houston Astros (@astros) June 5, 2023

His numbers were horrible, to say the least.

The Toronto Blue Jays NEED to send him down. It worked for Roy Halliday.

He is a 25-year-old prodigy who ascended to the pinnacle of success, securing a coveted spot among the top three candidates for the AL Cy Young Award. He emerged as an absolute force to be reckoned with, a fearsome creature on the mound. Yes, perhaps a tad overbearing and vexing, but undeniably an imposing figure. In his rookie season, the previous year, he exhibited remarkable prowess, showcasing a commendable 3.22 ERA across 111.2 innings. What in the world has transpired?

The pitch clock emerges as the primary antagonist in this odd scenario. The introduction of new rules has compelled Manoah to hasten his pace, resulting in a detrimental impact on his mechanics and mental fortitude. The once formidable mind games he deployed on the mound have vanished, leaving him bereft of confidence in his arsenal. Remarkably, his once formidable slider, a weapon that terrorized hitters, has now transformed into the most ineffective pitch in Major League Baseball. With a staggering 42 walks issued in just 57.2 innings this year, compared to a mere 51 walks in 196.2 innings in 2022, the decline in his control is evident.

While the Toronto Blue Jays may lack the luxury of a seamless replacement for a pitcher of Manoah’s calibre, the current situation leaves little choice but to explore alternatives. Not only is he failing to provide a chance for victory on the field, but he is also placing an excessive burden on the bullpen. Since April 22nd, Manoah has managed to record an out in the sixth inning only once, and in his last six starts, he has completed five innings merely on one occasion. A stint in the minor leagues could offer an opportunity for him to regain confidence against lesser hitters.

Surely, he should be able to conquer AAA-level opponents, right? While a rebound seems plausible in the future, persistently deploying him every fifth day in his current state seems unlikely to trigger a sudden reversal of fortunes.