6'6" LHP with Tommy John Resurgence and Old-School Starter Intensity
Payton Manca, Florida State's 6'6", 255-lb left-handed pitcher, is a high-impact differentiator due to his old-school competitor mentality and successful resurgence after Tommy John surgery, which statistics alone can't reveal. In the 2025 season, he posted a 5.82 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 2-1 record, but his summer on Cape Cod showed elite improvement: a 2.70 ERA and fastball working 90-92 mph, striking out 16 in 85 pitches. He has starter experience in midweeks, can pitch deep counts, and displays intense focus—k'd seven of the final ten he faced in Orleans. His intensity, durability post-injury, and starter experience make him a prime fit for teams needing a reliable, high-intensity LHP who can go deep in games.
