Manaea strikes out a career-high 13 for Double-A Midland
Athletics No. 3 prospect remains undefeated in seven starts for RockHounds
After a late start to his season, Sean Manaea is finally hitting his stride.
The Athletics' No. 3 prospect was nothing short of dominant Thursday for Double-A Midland, striking out a career-high 13 batters over six innings in a 4-1 win over San Antonio. He allowed just four hits and did not issue a walk in the outing, with 65 of his 95 pitches going for strikes.
Manaea struck out the side twice in the game and fanned two batters in three different innings. On top of that, the 23-year-old lefty struck out every hitter in San Antonio's starting lineup at least once.
Acquired from the Royals at the Trade Deadline in the Ben Zobrist deal, Manaea has been excellent since arriving at Midland, posting a 6-0 record in seven starts -- four of which have been scoreless -- to go along with a 1.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 51/15 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 42 2/3 innings.
Manaea didn't make his 2015 debut until June 24 due to an abdominal strain, and the Royals eased him into action upon his return with stops in the Rookie-level Arizona and Carolina Leagues. The 2013 first-rounder (No. 34 overall pick) made just two starts for Double-A Northwest Arkansas before he was shipped off to Oakland in late July.
On the season, Manaea is 7-1 with a 2.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 90/26 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 74 1/3 innings (14 starts). In his 2014 professional debut, the 6-foot-5 southpaw pitched to a 3.11 ERA with 146 strikeouts in 121 2/3 innings (25 starts) for Class A Advanced Wilmington.
After missing most of the first half of the season, Manaea will look to make up the lost time in this year's Arizona Fall League.