Sean Manaea: The Manaealator's Journey to the Top

Sean Manaea's journey to the top of Major League Baseball has been far from ordinary. From a small town in Indiana to the bright lights of the big city, Manaea has overcome obstacles and defied expectations at every turn.
Born in 1992 to Tongan parents, Manaea grew up in a baseball-loving family. His father, Faaloloi, was a semi-professional player in Tonga, and his mother, Opal, was a big fan of the game. From a young age, Manaea was hooked on baseball, spending countless hours playing in the backyard and at the local park.
Despite his love for the game, Manaea's path to the majors was not always clear. As a high schooler, he was not highly recruited by Division I colleges. However, he accepted a scholarship from Indiana State University, a small school in the Missouri Valley Conference.
At Indiana State, Manaea quickly made a name for himself. As a junior in 2013, he went 11-4 with a 3.31 ERA and 135 strikeouts. His performance caught the attention of the Kansas City Royals, who selected him in the 11th round of the MLB draft.
Manaea spent the next three seasons in the Royals' minor league system, steadily improving his skills. In 2016, he made his major league debut and quickly became a key part of the Royals' starting rotation. He went 9-8 with a 3.86 ERA in 26 starts that season, helping the Royals to the American League Championship Series.
In 2018, Manaea had a breakout season, going 12-9 with a 3.59 ERA and 200 strikeouts. He finished seventh in the AL Cy Young Award voting and helped the Royals to the World Series.
After the 2019 season, Manaea was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he continued to be a productive pitcher. In 2021, he threw a no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first Athletics pitcher to accomplish the feat since Dave Stewart in 1990.
In 2022, Manaea signed a two-year contract with the San Diego Padres. He struggled with injuries during his first season in San Diego but rebounded in 2023, going 8-6 with a 3.91 ERA in 28 starts.
Now a veteran of eight major league seasons, Manaea has proven himself to be one of the most consistent and reliable pitchers in the game. He has a career record of 89-63 with a 3.86 ERA and 1,290 strikeouts. He is a three-time All-Star and finished seventh in the AL Cy Young Award voting in 2018.
Manaea's journey to the top is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and resilience. He has overcome adversity and defied expectations at every turn. He is an inspiration to young pitchers and a role model for fans around the world.