MILWAUKEE — Jacob Misiorowski, a 23-year-old pitcher for the Brewers, made a striking debut on the mound. He was unaware that he had a no-hitter going until the sixth inning during a 6-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals. “I thought one of the popups landed,” he said after the game.
The night began with excitement, but it took a turn when Misiorowski awkwardly landed on the mound, leading to his exit in the sixth inning. Fortunately, the Brewers later revealed that the injury was just cramping in his calf and quadriceps. "I feel like I could have kept going," he said about leaving the game.
Before his early exit, things had been going incredibly well. Misiorowski showcased impressive speed, consistently reaching 100 mph on his pitches. He started the game by throwing three consecutive fastballs clocked over 100 mph, including one at a staggering 102.2 mph—the fastest by a Brewers starter since 2008.
Misiorowski averaged 99.1 mph on his four-seam fastballs, mixing in sliders, curveballs, and changeups as well. He struck out five batters, and had 13 swings and misses. His ability to throw hard is no fluke; just last month in Triple-A Nashville, he recorded a pitch at 103 mph, the highest for a starter since Statcast began tracking in 2015.
While the game was a personal success for Misiorowski, it also gave a peek into the current state of baseball pitching. Pitch speeds have significantly increased over the years. According to research, the average fastball speed in MLB has steadily risen, nearing 94 mph in recent seasons. Misiorowski is part of this trend, carrying on a legacy of pitchers who rely on high velocity.
Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy noted how nervous Misiorowski seemed before the game, but he handled himself well. Misiorowski’s teammates are optimistic about his future. "He’s asking the right questions and preparing himself the right way," said Aaron Ashby, another Brewers pitcher.
Fans are now hopeful as Misiorowski recovers from his minor injury. His comeback will be closely watched, as he appears ready to make a lasting impact in MLB. After the game, he expressed a sense of relief. "I haven’t slept for probably two days. It’s nice to go home and actually sleep," he said with a smile.
As Misiorowski looks to build on his debut, both fans and players share a sense of excitement. This young pitcher may just be scratching the surface of his potential in the big leagues.
For more on MLB’s rising pitching speeds, check out this MLB report.