High View: Miller Park catwalk
Take a climb up to the Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park catwalk.
Mike De Sisti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Not once since 2008, when modern pitch tracking began, has a true starting pitcher clipped 103 mph with a fastball — until Milwaukee Brewers prospect Jacob Misiorowski took the mound May 15, that is.
With a mitt-torching four-seamer for a swinging strikeout to cap the sixth inning in his start for Class AAA Nashville, Misiorowski reached back and hit triple digits (and then some), clocking the pitch at 103.0 mph.
The only pitches ever recorded at that speed or greater from a starter were a pair from St. Louis right-hander Jordan Hicks at 103.1 and 103.2 mph on July 12, 2022. But at that time, Hicks was still a reliever and was employed that day as an opener who lasted five outs.
What made Misiorowski’s heater even more impressive — as if 103 mph for a strikeout wasn’t impressive enough — is that it happened in the sixth inning, when most starters’ gas tanks are beginning to run low and velocity typically diminishes. For reference, noted flamethrower Jacob deGrom’s firmest pitch in the sixth inning or later in his career is 101.3 mph.
Misiorowski went seven innings, allowing one run on four hits, the latest step in his stretch as the most dominant pitching prospect in baseball so far this year. It was the longest outing as a professional for Misiorowski, whose earned run average sits a 1.46 with 59 strikeouts in 49â…“ innings. He’s allowed only two runs in 30â…” innings over his last five outings. Most important, perhaps, given his history with command struggles, is that he has issued only seven walks in that stretch.
The question that follows is only natural: When will Misiorowski get the call-up to the majors? The 23-year-old sure looks ready.