It’s been an interesting 2025 season for former Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Matt Manning. The 27-year-old Manning began the year inside the Tigers’ organization, playing at Triple-A Toledo.
However, things did not go well for Manning at Triple-A, as he had a 6.04 ERA across 31 games (four starts). Detroit decided to part ways with the former first-round pick, trading him at the deadline to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor league outfielder Josueth Quinonez.
For Manning, joining the Phillies’ organization was a chance for a fresh start and, hopefully, a way to get back to the major leagues. But that never happened, as the Phillies designated the ex-Tigers pitching prospect for assignment on Friday.
Matt Manning Gets Cut by Phillies After Only 2 Minor League Starts
The former Tigers starter did not immediately pitch for the Phillies in the minor leagues, despite being assigned to the Clearwater Threshers after the trade.
Manning eventually made his Phillies’ minor league debut with Double-A Reading at the end of August, where he had two starts. However, those didn’t go well, as the ex-Tigers hurler allowed three hits, six earned runs, seven walks, and two wild pitches, while only striking out across five innings.
He also posted a 10.80 ERA, which will not cut it at any level of baseball. Therefore, the Phillies decided it was best to DFA Manning, where he will have a chance to get claimed on waivers.
That said, it's tough to see any team taking a chance on the former first-round pick based on what we saw from him at the Triple-A and Double-A levels this season. However, he does have the pedigree of being a top-10 pick and a highly-touted pitching prospect, which could work in his favor.
Manning failed to live up to expectations during his four-year stint with the Tigers. He had a 4.43 ERA across 50 starts, including a 4.88 ERA in what would be his last five starts with the club in 2024.
During the 2024 season, opponents were hitting .287 off Manning, which was reminiscent of his rookie year in 2021 (.279). However, his strikeout percentage was 18.7 (best in his career), but he struggled with walks (9.8%).
As we saw in his brief stint with the Phillies’ Double-A club, Manning struggled with giving out free passes, which you can’t do. Nonetheless, with only weeks left in the regular season, we will see if the former Tigers’ pitching prospect gets one chance or if he’ll have to wait until the winter to sign with a new team.