Is Alek Manoah Cuban? Exploring Toronto Blue Jays pitcher's ethnic roots

At only 25 years of age, Toronto Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah could not have asked for a better start to his MLB career. Now in his third season in the Majors, Manoah has quickly emerged as one of the top pitchers in the MLB.

The starter from Homestead, Florida, was one of the top pitchers in the American League last season. Manoah finished with a 16-7 record while posting a 2.24 ERA with 180 strikeouts, helping the Blue Jays reach the postseason.

"Alek Manoah (25-9 career, 2.71) is one of the game's best young pitchers. That's not what his mom is most proud of. @Alek_Manoah6 | @BlueJays" - MLB Players Media

His dominant season earned Manoah his first career All-Star selection. He also finished third in American League Cy Young voting behind eventual winner Justin Verlander and runner-up Dylan Cease.

Alek Manoah's emergence with the Blue Jays last season has increased his celebrity among fans, with many looking into his family and background. While Manoah was born in Florida, he is of Cuban descent.

The Cuban side of his heritage comes from his mother Susana Lluch. The youngest child of Cuban immigrants, Susana grew up in Miami, eventually meeting and marrying Alek's father, Erik Manoah Sr. While the two divorced in 2014, both Erik and Susana passed their passion for baseball to their two sons, Alek and Erik Manoah Jr.

“Literally, I’ve seen my mom not eat dinner for me and my brother. A bad outing compared to that? It’s nothing.” This is the heart-rending, yet also inspiring story of Alek Manoah and his mother, Susana Lluch." - David Singh

While Alek is an American citizen, his connection to Cuba and Cuban heritage is something he holds dear. His upbringing in Miami, which has a heavy Cuban population, and the fact that four of his grandparents are Cuban, made it impossible for him to not be close to his heritage.

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A look at Alek Manoah and the Toronto Blue Jays' disappointing 2022 postseason

During his lone start in the postseason, Manoah struggled against the Seattle Mariners, going 5.2 innings with four earned runs and one home run. While Toronto ultimately fell to the Mariners, a taste of playoff action should give the team something to strive for this year.