Historic Statistical Dominance
Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski is concluding one of the most overpowering seasons in modern baseball history, establishing himself as a National League Cy Young contender.
No qualified starter in modern baseball history has surrendered a lower opponent’s batting average than Misiorowski is currently allowing. In terms of strikeout production, only Gerrit Cole in 2019 has generated a higher strikeout rate over the course of a full season than Misiorowski’s current mark of 38.2 percent, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign.
Misiorowski has earned the title of MLB’s velocity king during this stretch. His triple-digit heat has reached as high as 105.5 mph, the fastest speed ever recorded by a starting pitcher.
Development From College to the Majors
The path to this level of performance began when the Brewers selected Misiorowski with a second-round pick in 2022. The organization chose him over allowing him to transfer to LSU for his junior season at Crowder College, a decision driven by his velocity.
His progression through the minor leagues was marked by rapid strikeout totals. In his first full professional season in 2023, Misiorowski struck out 110 batters in 71.1 innings across Low-A, High-A, and Double-A.
Pitching coach Will Schierholz observed the development of this arsenal during a bullpen session prior to Misiorowski’s first Double-A start against the Montgomery Biscuits. During that session, Schierholz watched Misiorowski throw a first pitch at 98 mph and a slider at 92 mph.
Emotional Maturity and Influence
Beyond physical tools, Misiorowski has focused on mental development. Brewers manager Pat Murphy noted that Misiorowski has emotionally matured from his first year in the majors. Murphy stated, "He’s taken off the rollerskates," while acknowledging that the pitcher is not yet fully matured.
Misiorowski’s approach to handling bad events was influenced by his childhood idol, Adam Wainwright. Growing up in the Kansas City area, Misiorowski admired Wainwright’s unflappable demeanor on the mound, despite Wainwright’s average career four-seam velocity being around 90 mph.
Misiorowski told FOXSports that he learned to move onto the next pitch without emotion after bad events, a lesson inspired by watching Wainwright and other past pitchers. This focus on controlling his body, velocity, arsenal, and command has allowed him to transform into a pitching marvel following an intriguing rookie season with the Brewers.
Manager Pat Murphy has gone further in his assessment of Misiorowski’s current standing, stating that the pitcher is a National League Cy Young favorite. Murphy concluded that Misiorowski has recorded one of the most overpowering seasons ever documented by a starting pitcher, validating the organization's early faith in his unique combination of physical gifts and mental resilience.