Jacob Misiorowski: Brewers 2024 Minor League Player Of The Year
Jacob Misiorowski’s numbers might not jump off the page, but the 22-year-old righthander’s developmental progress stands out.
That goes for his command of his strike zone and the way he handled his move from starting to relieving.
“I’ve been most impressed with him starting to learn how to pitch,” Brewers GM Matt Arnold said. “Certainly, I think he would admit that he has more work to do there, but he’s come so far. I’m super excited for him.”
Hype has surrounded Misiorowski since he joined the organization as a 2022 second-round pick out of Crowder (Mo.) JC. He came equipped with a triple-digit fastball and a wipeout slider.
After advancing from Low-A Carolina to Double-A Biloxi in 2023, Misiorowski returned to Biloxi for the first half before being promoted to Triple-A Nashville at the start of August. There, he made his move to the bullpen with an eye on a potential late-season debut.
Misiorowski showed promise in his new role—one in which he was free to air it out against hitters in short spurts. In one mid-September appearance, he struck out the side on 10 pitches.
In 14 short-burst appearances at Triple-A, Misiorowski rung up 22 strikeouts against 10 walks in 17.2 innings. Overall, he recorded a 3.33 ERA with 127 strikeouts, 60 walks and eight home runs in 97.1 innings.
Misiorowski’s walk rate increased year-over-year from about 13% to 14% and remains high for a starter.
“I think that’s part of the growth of any young pitcher,” Arnold said. “Even when they get to the big leagues, there will still be growing pains. It’s not just stuff at the big league level. A lot of these guys have stuff.
“Now it’s actually learning how to pitch.”
While there is a chance the Brewers could return Misiorowski to the rotation in 2025, the clearest, fastest route to MLB will be as a reliever.
“The type of arsenal he has and growing into that frame—he’s done a fantastic job,” Arnold said.
MICRO BREWS
— Outfielder Braylon Payne, the Brewers’ first-round pick in July, impressed in a brief introductory stint with Low-A Carolina at the tail end of the Mudcats’ season. Less than a month after turning 18, Payne hit in three of four games with the highlight a 4-for-4, three-RBI performance against Delmarva.
— With Jackson Chourio tearing it up in his first major league season, the Brewers’ next fast-moving international signee might be 17-year-old Dominican shortstop Jesus Made. He turned heads with a tremendous 51-game run in his pro debut season in the Dominican Summer League. The switch-hitter put up a .331 average and 1.013 OPS with six homers, 28 RBIs and 28 stolen bases. Milwaukee has no issues pushing their prospects, so Made might well play in a full-season league in 2025.
