Jacob Misiorowski: A Brewers' Extension Yet to Materialize
Imagine a young phenom bursting onto the scene, setting the league ablaze with raw talent. That's precisely what right-hander Jacob Misiorowski did when he debuted in early June. His performance was so electrifying that he earned an All-Star nod after just five games! The Brewers, naturally, would love to lock him down long-term. But, according to reports, those crucial extension talks haven't really gained any traction.
Misiorowski's debut was nothing short of spectacular. He tossed five hitless innings against St. Louis, followed by a quality start against the Twins and another five scoreless innings against the Pirates. Though he stumbled against the Mets, giving up five earned runs, he bounced back with an impressive 12 strikeouts against the Dodgers. He even pitched a scoreless inning in the All-Star game. Despite a few post-All-Star break struggles leading to a 4.36 ERA for the season, his 3.56 SIERA suggests he was actually more effective than his ERA indicates.
But here's where it gets controversial... Extending Misiorowski comes with its own set of risks. His workload history is relatively light, despite his high-powered arsenal. Since being drafted in 2022, he's pitched 233 2/3 innings in the minors and added 66 innings in the majors this year. His 129 1/3 innings between Triple-A and the big leagues in 2025 were a career high by more than 30 innings.
Misiorowski's fastball averaged over 99 mph with the Brewers. His slider clocked in at a blistering 94.1 mph, and his changeup, if you can call it that, averaged 92.3 mph. This exceptional velocity is a key part of his effectiveness, but the constant strain on his arm also increases the risk of injury.
He won't be eligible for arbitration until 2029. Determining the value of a potential extension is tricky given his limited experience. The top contract given to a pre-arbitration pitcher was the six-year, $75MM deal Atlanta gave Spencer Strider in 2023. Strider had already pitched 134 big-league innings when he got his extension, including a dominant 2022 campaign with a 2.67 ERA and a 38.3% strikeout rate across 31 appearances. Eury Perez profiles similarly to Misiorowski in terms of talent and risk and has already had extension discussions with the Marlins. However, Perez, even at 22 years old, has nearly three times as many MLB innings under his belt as Misiorowski.
And this is the part most people miss... With the Brewers reportedly mindful of their payroll, securing Misiorowski at a potentially discounted rate sooner rather than later would be ideal. If he delivers a full season with similar results to his 2025 performance, his price tag will only increase. While the Brewers are reportedly willing to talk, reaching an agreement with Misiorowski and his representatives is not guaranteed.
What do you think? Should the Brewers prioritize an extension for Misiorowski, even with the inherent risks? Do you think his potential outweighs the concerns about his workload? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
