MILWAUKEE — In an electrifying performance, Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski made his major league debut on Thursday night, leading the Milwaukee Brewers to a commanding 6-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. The 23-year-old flamethrower, who showcased his incredible talent on the mound, claimed he was unaware of his no-hitter status as he entered the sixth inning. "I had no clue," Misiorowski admitted after the game. "I thought one of the popups landed."
While the Brewers were unable to secure the no-hitter, the team received positive news regarding Misiorowski's health. The towering 6-foot-7 right-hander exited the game due to a foot injury that occurred when he awkwardly landed on the mound. After throwing a third straight ball to Victor Scott, Misiorowski's foot slipped, prompting the Brewers' medical staff to assess his condition. He was later diagnosed with cramping in his right calf and quadriceps, which was a relief for both the player and the team. "Of course, I don't want to leave like that," Misiorowski said. "I feel like I could have kept going, but I cramped up. Stuff happens."
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy mentioned that Misiorowski may have also twisted an ankle, but the young pitcher reassured fans by stating, "All good," when asked about his postgame condition. This optimistic outlook should alleviate concerns among Brewers fans who are eager to see more from their promising pitcher.
Before his early exit, Misiorowski's debut was nothing short of remarkable. Known for his elite velocity, he demonstrated why he is considered one of baseball's top pitching prospects. "I don’t think it was anywhere near what I thought," he reflected. "I thought I was going to give up a few hits, get your 'welcome to the show' kind of experience. I just kind of rolled with it."
Control has been a concern for Misiorowski during his journey through the Brewers' farm system, and while he did issue four walks, he also struck out five batters. His fastball reached an astonishing 100 mph on multiple occasions, with the highlight being a blistering 102.2 mph pitch to Lars Nootbaar, which marked the fastest recorded pitch by any Brewers starter since pitch tracking began in 2008.
According to MLB.com, Misiorowski's debut was historic; only a handful of pitchers have thrown more than 100 mph in their debut since 2008. Statcast data revealed that 14 of the 81 pitches he threw reached at least 100 mph, solidifying his reputation as an ace in the making.
Misiorowski's velocity and performance in his debut should come as no surprise. Just last month, while pitching for the Brewers’ Triple-A Nashville affiliate, he recorded a staggering 103 mph pitch, the fastest by a true starter in the majors or minors since Statcast began tracking data in 2015. In his first major league outing, he averaged 99.1 mph on 41 four-seam fastballs, mixing in various pitches effectively, including sliders, curveballs, and changeups.
After the game, Murphy praised Misiorowski's composure under pressure, stating, "I think he was super nervous before the game, and that's to be expected, but I think he handled it really, really well." As he looks to build on this sensational debut, his teammates are confident in his abilities. Left-hander Aaron Ashby, who shared a college background with Misiorowski, noted, "I think he’s shown that he’s ready. He’s asking the right questions. He’s doing the right things."
The Brewers can take comfort in Misiorowski's assurance that he feels fine after his debut. As he expressed, "I haven’t slept for probably two days. It’s going to be nice to go home and actually sleep." With his impressive performance and a positive outlook on his health, Jacob Misiorowski is poised to become a key player for the Milwaukee Brewers in the coming games.
