The Milwaukee Brewers are reportedly calling up their highly touted pitching prospect, Jacob Misiorowski, to make his major league debut on Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals at American Family Field. Multiple sources, including ESPN's Jeff Passan and MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, have confirmed the news.
Misiorowski, ranked as the Brewers' No. 4 prospect and No. 68 overall by MLB Pipeline, has been dominant at Triple-A Nashville this season. In 13 outings (12 starts), the 23-year-old right-hander has posted a 2.13 ERA with an impressive 80 strikeouts in 63 1/3 innings. His fastball, which has reached speeds up to 103 mph, is considered an elite weapon, earning an 80 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale, the highest possible mark.
Drafted in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Crowder (Mo.) Junior College, Misiorowski has quickly ascended through the Brewers' minor league system. Over 233 2/3 innings, he has amassed 320 strikeouts, showcasing his exceptional strikeout ability. After a midseason promotion to Triple-A last year, he transitioned to the bullpen but has since returned to the rotation this season.
While Misiorowski's stuff is undeniable, command has been a concern in the past. However, reports indicate that he has made significant strides in this area this year, demonstrating improved control and consistency around the strike zone. This development has allowed him to pitch deeper into games and maintain his role as a starter. Besides his fastball, Misiorowski also features two plus-plus breaking balls, adding to his repertoire and making him a difficult matchup for hitters.
The Brewers will need to make room for Misiorowski on both their active and 40-man rosters. A move to the 60-day injured list for Brandon Woodruff, who has already been sidelined for an extended period, seems the most likely way to open up a spot on the 40-man roster.
The decision to call up Misiorowski could be driven by several factors. The Brewers are currently in the midst of a stretch of 10 games in 10 days, and starting Misiorowski could provide an extra day of rest for the team's regular starting rotation. It is also possible that this promotion is due to an injury or a desire to shake up the pitching staff.
Regardless of the specific reasons, the arrival of Jacob Misiorowski is generating considerable excitement among Brewers fans. His combination of electric stuff and improved command offers the potential for him to become a significant contributor to the team, either as a starter or in a high-leverage bullpen role. His performance on Thursday will be closely watched as he embarks on his major league career.
