The Jedi vs The Padawan.
Now in a position that Pittsburgh Pirates’ second-year star Paul Skenes found himself in exactly a year ago, Jacob Misiorowski is grabbing headlines as the next rookie sensation to toe the rubber in 2025.
After sporting a 2.13 ERA and 1.089 WHIP in 63 innings for Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A squad, Misiorowski is now 3-0 with a sub-two 1.13 ERA in his first three starts up at the big league level, striking out five or more in each appearance (including this strikeout of Willi Castro that will even make your knees buckle).
Mama, Jacob Misiorowski just killed a man. 🪦🧛 pic.twitter.com/mC6YXAW8ev
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) June 21, 2025
Jacob Misiorowski’s Rapid Rise Follow Familiar Pattern in Brewers System
“Good luck to the hitters,” Brewers pitcher Brandon Woodruff told the media, ahead of Wednesday’s Miz vs Skenes matchup. “It’s 100 mph every pitch. It’s kind of crazy in terms of how the game has changed that way. It seems like everybody throws 100 now. It’s cool, it’s good for the game. It’s two young guys who are obviously really good.”
But unlike Pittsburgh’s “diamond in the rough” in Skenes, Milwaukee is no stranger to producing pitching talent. Names like Corbin Burnes, Josh Hader, and Devin Williams are just a few of the stars who have thrown on the navy and gold.
From 2018 to 2023, the Milwaukee Brewers organization took home the NL Reliever of the Year award five times, with Hader being a three-time winner and Williams winning it twice. With the trophy shelf already packed, Corbin Burnes added to the list with a Cy Young for the Brew Crew in 2021.
Jacob Misiorowski is now the favorite (+150) to win NL Rookie of the Year after just two career starts🤯 @BetMGM
Drake Baldwin (+350) and Agustin Ramirez (+450) follow but Misiorowski’s incredible start to his career has him in the lead for now. pic.twitter.com/ywZLlWfa8U
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 24, 2025
But whether it is drafting potential arms (Hello, Garrett Crochet), developing them in the system, or acquiring them via trade, one question remains: how do you keep them in Wisconsin?
“We really don’t have a choice, right?” Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich, who signed a nine-year, $215 million contract extension back in 2020, told USA TODAY Sports this past winter. “It’s not up to us to decide who’s on the roster or who’s not, or if we’re going to acquire anybody in the offseason. It’s out of our control here.”
Extension in the Cards?
All of those top names mentioned above were shipped out of town via trade in recent seasons, with owner Mark Attanasio and company holding onto the small-town market mold. Milwaukee’s 2025 payroll does not crack the top 20 in MLB this season, and it is leaving their passionate fans a bit disappointed as they still search for their first World Series title.
“I don’t want to think small, but we’ve never been able to do what the big markets do in terms of free agency and payroll,’’ Attanasio says. “We don’t have the financial ability to bring in superstars. We try to hold on to whatever we can.’’
Jacob Misiorowski of the @Brewers is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to have more wins (2) than hits allowed (1) over his first 2 career starts. pic.twitter.com/OQiUsrahkZ
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) June 21, 2025
Bringing in superstars is one thing, but what if a star is already in your hands?
Extensions have been all the rage so far in 2025, with young stars like Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh and the A’s outfielder Lawrence Butler inking extensions this spring. Even rookies have gotten in on the fun, with Kristian Campbell signing an eight-year extension with the Boston Red Sox in April.
If Misiorowski is truly the real deal, Milwaukee’s only chance to keep him may be following the 2025 blueprint and offering him an extension right away. If not, the price on the 23-year-old righty will only go up from here.
Main Photo Credit: © Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
