A new face has joined the National League lineup for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, marking just five total appearances in major league games.
Milwaukee Brewers prospect Jacob Misiorowski, known for his dynamic performance in his debut month, received his inaugural All-Star nod on Friday. Having started only five games, he boasts the fewest career appearances of any All-Star heading into the event.
For context, Pittsburgh Pirates standout Paul Skenes previously held this record with 11 games played before last season’s All-Star break.
Misiorowski is set to replace Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd, who is scheduled to pitch on Saturday and has opted out of the Midsummer Classic.
This decision by MLB is sure to spark debate. Brewers enthusiasts will celebrate it, while fans who love high-octane pitching will find it appealing. Casual observers will be intrigued. Supporters of other teams, with their own All-Star hopefuls, may feel slighted, and those players might be quite displeased. The batters who must face Misiorowski on a prominent stage could be the most frustrated.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a reason behind MLB’s action.
Jacob Misiorowski looks like one of the most electric pitchers MLB has ever seen
Throughout his initial five starts, Misiorowski has displayed the kind of formidable pitching that captivates fans, something some might never witness from their own team.
His fastball averages an impressive 99.3 mph, frequently reaching triple digits, and his towering 6-foot-7 stature allows him to release the ball closer to home plate, reducing vital milliseconds for batters to react. Adding to the challenge, his slider averages 94.4 mph, and his changeup averages 92.2 mph.
In his MLB debut, Misiorowski delivered six hitless innings before exiting due to cramping. In his subsequent start, he pitched six more no-hit innings before conceding a hit. He has outperformed both Skenes and Clayton Kershaw, recording 12 strikeouts in six innings during the latter start.
Over those five starts, he has accumulated 33 strikeouts, while allowing 12 hits and eight runs. There is little to suggest a decline beyond potential injuries. His presence at the All-Star Game promises to be a spectacle.
Here are the pitchers who could have made the All-Star Game instead of Jacob Misiorowski
It’s crucial to remember that the All-Star Game remains an exhibition at its core. Its primary aim is to gather players that fans are eager to see and present a game that (usually) holds no competitive weight. The intention is enjoyment.
Nonetheless, the All-Star Game also serves as a benchmark for evaluating careers and recognizing the game’s top performers. MLB wants fans invested. A selection such as Misiorowski’s is entirely unprecedented, leaving several players questioning why someone with only five starts was chosen over them.
We’re simply listing a few of the 34 (!) NL pitchers who have logged more innings than Misiorowski with superior ERAs, according to Baseball Reference, with particular recognition for Cristopher Sánchez, whose achievements surpass those of some pitchers already named to the NL roster.
Additionally, pitchers like Nick Pivetta, Spencer Schwellenbach, and David Peterson have all surpassed 100 innings with ERAs around 3.00. Clearly, Misiorowski’s selection prioritizes potential over established results.
The decision of whom you’d prefer to see in the game is left to you.
