Sean Manaea’s Breakthrough with a New Delivery
Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea had a transformative 2024 season, thanks to a well-documented change in his delivery. Inspired by Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale’s cross-body motion, Manaea integrated a similar approach, significantly enhancing his performance. This adjustment propelled him to pitch like a top-of-the-rotation starter, particularly in the latter part of the season and into the playoffs. The effectiveness of this new technique was evident in Manaea’s stats, which showed a marked improvement over previous years, making him an indispensable part of the Mets roster.
A Special Guest at Spring Training
On Saturday, Manaea had the opportunity to learn from another legendary left-hander, one with a particularly strong connection to the Mets. Johan Santana, who famously threw the first no-hitter in Mets history in 2012, visited the team’s spring training facility in Port St. Lucie as a guest instructor. Manager Carlos Mendoza, aware of Manaea’s admiration for Santana, orchestrated a meeting between the two. “I knew Johan was coming, and I didn’t want to say anything to Sean,” Mendoza explained. “Yesterday when he first got here, I pulled Johan aside and said ‘Let’s meet Sean.’ It was a pretty cool moment.” This introduction set the stage for a valuable mentorship and a moment of personal significance for Manaea.
Manaea’s Reaction and Childhood Inspiration
Manaea described the experience of meeting Santana as being “star-struck.” He revealed that his family wasn’t heavily involved in baseball, and Santana was one of the first left-handed pitchers he watched closely. “I think he may have been the first lefty pitcher that I saw, and the changeup, I was trying to emulate him all the time,” Manaea said. This childhood hero became a tangible source of inspiration and guidance, adding an emotional depth to Manaea’s preparation for the upcoming season. The exchange of knowledge between these two lefties was both nostalgic and forward-looking, blending past achievements with present ambitions.
Santana’s Impact and Advice
Santana, who was acquired by the Mets in a February 2008 trade with the Minnesota Twins, had a stellar four-season stint in Queens. He posted a 3.18 ERA overall and an impressive 2.53 ERA in 2008, the year he finished third in NL Cy Young voting. Known for his devastating changeup, Santana shared his insights with Manaea, discussing grip techniques and the mental approach to pitching. “Maybe I’ll have a good changeup this year,” Manaea said with a laugh, highlighting the tangible impact of the session. The changeup, often a left-hander’s most valuable weapon, was a focal point of their conversation, and Manaea’s enthusiasm was palpable.
Preparing for the Upcoming Season
Manaea is set to throw a live batting practice session on Monday, and he anticipates taking the mound in Grapefruit League action shortly afterward. He expressed confidence and optimism as he heads into his first year of a new three-year contract with the Mets. “I’m feeling good,” Manaea stated. “Picking Santana’s brain will hopefully help me build on last year’s 3.47 ERA, which was the best of my career (excluding 2019, when I pitched just five games).” The support and wisdom from an iconic figure like Santana are invaluable, especially as Manaea looks to solidify his role in the Mets’ rotation and continue his upward trajectory.
The Value of Guest Coaches
Mendoza emphasized the importance of having experienced guest instructors like Santana around spring training. “Any time you can get a player with his experience and knowledge, not only for Sean but for everyone here in camp, that’s the reason why not only us but a lot of teams are doing it, bring in some guys like that and spend some time around players and coaches,” he said. These interactions provide a wealth of advice and perspective, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment. The Mets’ commitment to bringing in such talent reflects their dedication to building a championship-caliber team, and the meeting between Manaea and Santana is just one example of how this approach can yield significant benefits.
