Matt Manning pitching on July 8, 2023. AP Photo/Paul Sancya
Matt Manning, the No. 9 pick in the 2016 draft out of high school and once ranked as MLB’s No. 25 prospect, has signed with the KBO’s Samsung Lions. With many pitchers using time in Korea to reinvent themselves and post strong seasons that lead to another shot in MLB, Manning hopes the opportunity in 2026 can revive a career that hasn’t met early expectations.
Drafted ninth overall by the Detroit Tigers, Manning was selected to the All-Star Futures Game in 2018 and 2019 and was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Year in 2019. He made his MLB debut in 2021, posting a 5.80 ERA over 85 1/3 innings. Once known in the minors for his swing-and-miss ability, he struggled to carry that over to the majors, finishing his MLB tenure with 178 strikeouts in 254 innings after averaging 10.6 strikeouts per nine innings in the minors.
The highlight of Matt Manning’s career so far was his start on July 8th, 2023. In that start, he went 6 2/3 innings where he did not allow a hit as the Tigers staff threw a combined no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.
After struggling in 2025 as primarily a reliever for Triple-A Toledo, Manning was designated for assignment on July 30 following a 6.04 ERA in 50 2/3 innings. He was traded to Philadelphia the next day and logged five innings with a 10.80 ERA at Double-A before electing free agency in November.
In recent years, several pitchers have left the MLB system for the KBO, found improved stuff and results, and returned to MLB in stronger form. Cody Ponce, the 2025 KBO MVP who posted a historic season in Korea after struggles in MLB and NPB, is a prime example. Manning will look to follow a similar path as he transitions back to a starting role with Samsung. Along with former MLB pitcher Ariel Jurado, Manning’s signing should give Samsung one of the top rotations in 2026 in the KBO.
