Jacob Misiorowski sets multiple career highs in bullpen-saving effort

It's been quite the rollercoaster for 23-year-old Jacob Misiorowski this season. After loud calls for his promotion at the end of last year, Misiorowski's 2025 campaign began down in Triple-A with the Nashville Sounds. The Miz dominated the Triple-A competition, and once again, the calls for his promotion were ringing out across the Brewers' fanbase.

At long last, on June 12, Misiorowski was called up to the big leagues, and in his first MLB start, he no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals for five dominant innings. A stretch of sustained dominance led to The Miz being named to the MLB All-Star Game after just five major league starts, the fewest by any player named to the Midseason Classic.

A shin bruise in early August kept Misiorowski off the mound for two weeks, and when he returned, on the 15th of the month, he wasn't the same pitcher that he was before going on the injured list. In four starts from August 15 to September 1, Misiorowski allowed 14 earned runs in just 14.2 innings pitched. Displaying a lack of efficiency and command, fans wondered if a move to the bullpen for the stretch run was in the cards for the Brewers’ talented young flamethrower.

However, just as he did in his debut and with his performance in the All-Star Game, The Miz quieted the noise with a dominant outing. This time, it came on a Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh as the Brew Crew wrapped up a three-game sweep of the lowly Pirates. With a seven-inning, one-run outing, the Miz not only saved the Brewers' bullpen but also set multiple new career highs.

Misiorowski sets career highs in pitches thrown and innings covered in dominant outing against the Pirates

With a nine-run lead and Misiorowski's pitch count climbing, most Brewers fans were likely not expecting the team's rookie phenom to trot back out to the mound for the seventh inning in Sunday's series finale at PNC Park. However, when the inning began, it was still The Miz staring down the poor Pittsburgh hitters who caught the Brewers' starter on the wrong day.

With an elevated 98 mph fastball to strike out Pirates' catcher Joey Bart, Misiorowski finished off the seventh inning with 108 pitches to his name. Both the seven innings of work and the 108 pitches thrown are career highs for Misiorowski during his time in the big leagues, and it could not have come at a better time for the Brew Crew.

With five key relievers on the injured list, it's no secret that the Brewers' bullpen is thin. As such, Misiorowski leaving just two innings for the bullpen to cover was especially important. Paired with the fact that the Brewers' offense collected 10 runs in Sunday's series finale, and Misiorowski delivered a much-needed day off to the Brewers’ high-leverage "A bullpen."

For Misiorowski, who has already surpassed his career high for innings thrown in a single season, proving to himself and his team that he can go deep into games and remain effective is a huge development. Pat Murphy almost certainly won't ask him to throw more than 100 pitches in an outing again this season, but during a time when the Brewers need innings from their starting pitchers, Misiorowski delivered in impressive fashion.

With the Brewers having an off day on Thursday, and the team reportedly electing to give a spot start to someone outside of their regular five rotation pieces on Tuesday night, Misiorowski should have six days of rest before his next start, which also likely factored into Pat Murphy's decision to send him back out there for the seventh inning.

As the rollercoaster ride continues, The Miz stepped up when the Crew needed it most.