Brewers GM gives delivers tough news to top pitching prospect

Good things come to those that wait. Whether it be having to finish your vegetables before having dessert or reaching the big leagues, the payoff that comes with being patient can make the journey so much sweeter. For one Milwaukee Brewers prospect, though, the wait may take a bit longer than Brewers fans initially expected.

Jacob Misiorowski has been turning heads since he was drafted by the Brewers in 2022. The lanky, hard-throwing right-hander has been one of Milwaukee's best pitching prospects since the day he signed with the team. So far, "Miz" has flown through the team's farm system, reaching Triple-A last August before his 23rd birthday. It appeared as if he was on the cusp of his MLB debut late last year, but the Brewers ultimately opted to wait another offseason before giving him the call.

After a tough spring training with the big league camp, Misiorowski was assigned back to the Nashville Sounds to start the 2025 season. It was certainly a disappointing development for the Brewers' No. 4 prospect, but he hasn't let it affect him. Many headlines have been written about the young righty, from his record-setting fastball to the accolades that have come with his performances. With the constant uncertainty of the Brewers rotation, and a clear option waiting in Nashville, the calls for Miz's promotion are once again present among the Milwaukee faithful.

Brewers GM Matt Arnold gives tough update on Misiorowski's potential callup timeline in interview with Brewers insider

In Tuesday's Brewers Beat newsletter by Brewers MLB.com beat writer Adam McCalvy, the question of Miz's promotion was posed to GM Matt Arnold. Unfortunately for fans and Misiorowski, there isn't a clear answer, though it isn't likely going to be soon. Arnold spoke glowingly of the pitcher's development, saying, "I certainly think Miz has the type of stuff that you want to take care of. He has that kind of upside for us. And so you want to make sure if and when a guy arrives at the big league level that you put them in a position to succeed.” Make sure to read the rest of McCalvy's newsletter for more quotes from Arnold and further analysis of the Misiorowski situation.

While this is a very positive quote, the big takeaway is that there is still some development to go. Misiorowski has made great strides in gaining command of his pitches and lowering his walk numbers. In 14 games last season with Nashville, pitching mostly out of the bullpen for 17.2 innings, Misiorowski walked 10 batters. This season, across 49.1 innings, that number has only reached 19 walks, a significantly lower rate than in the past. Opponent batting average is down as well.

Pitching can be a very momentum-based profession. With a guy as talented as Misiorowski, you want the growth to continue, so that when the call does come to join the big league squad, it is hopefully permanent. Going on the seemingly endless shuttle from the MLB level back to Triple-A that works for some bullpen guys is a tough toll on your top prospect.

He also faces the challenge of not being on the 40-man roster. When José Quintana joined the seemingly endless list of injured pitchers, it was Logan Henderson that got the call-up, not Misiorowski. Henderson, Carlos Rodriguez, and Tobias Myers all have the advantage of not needing to clear a 40-man roster spot to get a call-up. Aaron Civale and Brandon Woodruff also appear to be nearing their returns, which will contribute to the crowdedness of the active roster.

Long story short. The Brewers are very aware of Misiorowski's growth, and they want him to succeed. As McCalvy reports, “'He should be really confident right now, and then the call is not coming and you have a little chip on your shoulder,' says Brewers farm director Tom Flanagan." So, for now, the wait continues, but when that day finally comes, opposing teams better watch out; the Brewers have another great pitcher just waiting on deck.