When you can throw a baseball 103 miles per hour, there will be an audience. Brewers rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who has made just two starts in his career, is learning that fans can’t get enough of his brilliance.
Why has Jacob Misiorowski burst onto the MLB scene?
The 23-year-old Misiorowski has only pitched 11 innings in the big leagues, but his numbers are historic. In his debut, he went five innings and didn’t allow a hit against the St. Louis Cardinals.
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On Friday, June 20, he took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins. He’s the first starting pitcher since at least 1900 to begin his career without giving up a hit in his first 11 innings. After the seven-inning gem, he says he’s starting to settle in.
“Honestly, I felt calmer and ready to go compared to the first one,” Misiorowski said. “Nerves were going pretty heavy in the first one, so it’s good to finally feel your feet under you. I think this is exactly how I ever dreamed of it coming along, it’s exciting.”
On Wednesday, June 25, the lights will be even brighter when he faces fellow fireballer Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates. “I think it’s going to be really entertaining to watch,” Misiorowski said. “Two guys that are at the top of their game right now. So I think it’s cool. It’s going to be fun.”
Why is he being compared to Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes?
Fair or not, Misiorowski is already being compared to Skenes, who won National League Rookie of the Year honors last season. Skenes finished with an impressive 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts in 23 starts. He became the first rookie pitcher since 1918 to make at least 23 starts and post a sub-2.00 ERA.
The two pitching phenoms were almost teammates at LSU. Skenes led the Tigers to the national championship in 2023 with one of the most dominant pitching seasons in the history of college baseball. Misiorowski went the junior college route after COVID-19 canceled his final high school season.
He dominated the JUCO ranks, striking out 16 batters per nine innings. His fastball topped out at 95 mph in high school and was routinely in the triple-digits in college. LSU head coach Jay Johnson was ready to pounce with a scholarship offer, but the Brewers took Misiorowski in the second round of the 2022 draft and offered him first-round money to sign a pro contract.
What has made his first two outings so special?
Just like that, Brewers manager Pat Murphy had a potential ace dropped right into his lap. The right-hander’s command has been an issue in the minors, but at the Major League level –– so far, so good.
Murphy was particularly impressed with Friday’s outing.
“I think he stepped up, even better than he was the first day,” Murphy said. “He was really in command, and this team can swing the bats and hit fastballs. It’s tough to see the first few innings, so I wasn’t certain how everything would go. He was attacking but mixing too, it wasn’t just heaters.”
In his two outings, Misiorowski’s fastball has averaged 99.7 mph, the hardest among all starters in the majors this season. His slider has averaged 94.6 mph, 4 mph harder than anyone else. He threw 29 fastballs that reached 100 miles an hour in his dominant performance against Minnesota.
What should fans look for Wednesday in Milwaukee?
How many pitches will hit 100 miles per hour on Wednesday, when the two face off in Milwaukee? Murphy was quick to point out that comparisons to Skenes aren’t really fair to either pitcher at this point, even though Misiorowski’s stuff is nearly unhittable.
“I’m not comparing them,” Murphy said. “I’m just saying he has those types of qualities that make you think of a guy like Skenes. It should be exciting. Miz is going on four days’ rest for the first time.”
The two pitchers didn’t meet until Monday, June 23, in the outfield at American Family Field, two days before their much-anticipated matchup. As Brewers right-hander Brandon Woodruff put it: “Good luck to the hitters.”
contributed to this report.