MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (February 7, 2019) – West Virginia University baseball junior right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah has been named to the Golden Spikes Award preseason watch list, USA Baseball announced on Thursday.
Manoah is the third player in program history named to the watch list, after left-handed pitcher Harrison Musgrave and first baseman Ryan McBroom were recognized in 2014.
The annual award recognizes the top amateur baseball player in the country, and the winner of the 42nd Golden Spikes Award will be named on June 14, in partnership with the Rod Dedeaux Foundation. The preseason watch list includes 55 of the nation’s top amateur players, from college and high school baseball.
WVU is one of five Big 12 Conference teams recognized on this year’s watch list.
Last week, Manoah was named to the Baseball America Preseason All-America Second Team.
A Miami native, Manoah made 23 appearances on the mound as a sophomore in 2018, tied for eighth-most in a single season in program history. He made eight starts and finished second on the team with 60 strikeouts. Manoah posted a 3-5 record with two saves and a 4.00 ERA and allowed 24 earned runs on 53 hits with 28 walks in 54.0 innings pitched.
A 2017 Big 12 All-Freshman Team honoree, Manoah made 19 appearances on the mound with 10 starts and recorded a 1-1 record with two saves in his first season in Morgantown. He started the season as a reliever and transitioned to closer before moving to a starter. Manoah posted a 3.07 ERA, which ranked fourth on the team among pitchers with more than 3.0 innings pitched and second amongst pitchers with at least three starts. He gave up 19 earned runs on 43 hits with 45 strikeouts and 33 walks in 55.2 innings pitched.
In his career, Manoah has made 42 appearances on the mound. In 109.2 innings pitched, he owns a 3.53 ERA with 105 strikeouts and 61 walks. He has allowed 43 earned runs on 96 hits.
Manoah and the Mountaineers open the 2019 season at the Atlanta Challenge from Feb. 15-17 in Atlanta. Opening day is set for Feb. 15, at Kennesaw State, and the weekend continues with contests at Georgia State (Feb. 16) and Georgia Tech (Feb. 17). The home opener at Monongalia County Ballpark is on March 8, against Kent State, and Big 12 action begins for the Mountaineers at Baylor from March 22-24.
Press Release Credit: WVU Athletics Communications
Photo Credit: Jeff Ruff, BGS
