From Outfields to Strikeouts: Alex Mansa's Quest for the Major Leagues

Granville, W. Va. -As an 18-year-old at Farmington High School in Michigan, Alex Manasa's baseball dreams involved patrolling big-league outfields and crushing homeruns into the upper decks.
Two years later, Manasa is still chasing his Major League dreams-with a bit of a twist.
"I didn't get as many offers out of high school as I wanted, so I decided to go to junior college to keep my options open," said Manasa. "I was blessed to pick up pitching a little bit more, and now I'm here."
Looking to make a name for himself among MLB scouts, Manasa played at Jackson Community College in 2017. Playing for the Jets, just an hour away from Farmington, the righty dominated as both a relief pitcher and an outfielder, helping his team to a record of 37-12-2.
Although Manasa led the team with a .410 batting average, it was his arm that drew the attention of big-league scouts. In just 21.1 innings of work from the bullpen, Manasa had five saves for Jackson Community College with a 1.27 ERA, striking out 31 batters while walking only three.
When the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted the 6-foot 4-inch, 195-pound prospect in the 11^th round as a pitcher, Manasa realized his arm might be his ticket for a chance at the Majors.
"It was definitely interesting," Manasa said of switching to pitching full-time. "I'd always been a position player, but my dream was always to play pro baseball, so whatever they wanted me for I was excited."
After signing with the Pirates in the summer of 2017, Manasa was sent to Bristol, Virginia to play for the organization's rookie-level affiliate in the Appalachian League. Jumping right into the professional ranks, he immediately noticed the talent difference between junior college players and young pro prospects.
"In junior college, you can just throw strikes and you get people out," said Manasa. "Here, you have to game plan and know how to sequence against certain hitters. It's definitely a learning process."
Manasa struggled to begin last summer. In his first relief appearance, the righty was welcomed to professional baseball by giving up a two-run homer in the fourth inning in a 4-2 loss to the Greeneville Astros.
However, as he continued to work on his game, Manasa saw consistent improvement throughout the rest of the season.
"I struggled a little bit at first," Manasa said." It might've been nerves, but once I realized I deserved to be there and that they drafted me for a reason, I just came into my own. I was more comfortable and started to see more success and development in my pitches."
Manasa finished his season with Bristol with a 2-1 record, boasting a 3.27 ERA to go with 35 strikeouts and just seven walks in 38 innings of work.
Moving up to play with the Black Bears in 2018, the Pirates prospect has the opportunity to develop his game even further. After impressing first year Manager Kieran Mattison and Pitching Coach Tim Filer, Manasa was named the starter for Opening Day against the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
"I've been working during all of extended [spring training] to get my innings up to be able to go deeper into games with my endurance," said Manasa before the start. "I'm excited to have the opportunity, and I hope to show what I can do."
Manasa, in fact, did show what he's capable of doing when he's on the mound. In six innings of work, the righty allowed only one run on five hits, striking out three batters with one walk in a no-decision.
With his first start under his belt, Manasa brings a young arm to the Black Bears with a lot of potential for the future. Even so, the twenty-year-old is taking it one day at a time, always working towards his dream of playing in the Majors.
"I'm just excited to keep developing and learning-just to learn something new every day and keep improving my game," said Manasa. "I'm just excited for the season and I hope it can be a successful one."