Oakland A’s Top Prospect Sean Manaea Promoted

Sean Manaea is a top billed pitching prospect for the Oakland A’s. After his promotion today, should fantasy owners make him a must add?

Sean Manaea has been a highly touted since he was drafted out of Indiana State by the Kansas City Royals in 2013. He was taken 34th overall, even though many thought he would be a top 10 pick. Though, the 6’5 lefty certainly has shown that the arm talent is for real. Manaea was the key piece in the trade last season that saw the Royals get Ben Zobrist from Oakland.

It seems that Manaea has turned a corner developmentally wise since the move. Last season, he made his way to AA after starting the year at the rookie ball level. After some rough patches, he would go on to excel during the second half of the season.

He ended the 2015 season with a 2.66 ERA/90 K/26 BB line over 14 starts. Manaea would then parlay that success into this season, where he began the season with a 1.50 ERA/21 K/4 BB over his first three starts at AAA. The A’s have gotten off to a decent start this season, but the backend of their rotation has been shaky. Manaea will replace the struggling, Eric Surkamp, and immediately add an ace caliber type of arm behind Sonny Gray.

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Manaea’s arsenal is filthy, as he sits in the mid-90s with his fastball, a hard breaking slider and solid change up. But his funky delivery is what adds even more value, as the deception he offers causes hitters headaches. While his delivery creates deception, it can also lead to command issues, which has always been a knock on him since he was drafted. However, he has only allowed four free passes this season, so his mechanics look in tune.

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His first start will come against the scuffling Houston Astros in Oakland on April 29. The Stros still have plenty of offensive firepower, so it will serve as a great test. He should be picked up regardless because of the sheer upside, and the A’s are in a position to give him an extended look in the rotation. If you missed out on Blake Snell or Jose Berrios, make sure you snag Manaea as he could quickly rise up the fantasy ranks.