KC native is at center of All-Star Game controversy ahead of Midsummer Classic
You’ve undoubtedly heard talk of an athlete making an instant impact, but few have made a splash quite like Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski.
In his big-league debut last month, Misiorowski threw five no-hit innings and his very first three pitches in Major League Baseball all topped 100 mph.
Misiorowski, who was born in Blue Springs and grew up in Grain Valley, has continued that success. He has a 4-1 record with a 2.83 ERA in five starts with the Brewers. He’s struck out 33 in 25 2/3 innings and allowed a mere 12 hits.
Misiorowski has been one of the top stories of the first half. And that’s why MLB on Friday added Misiorowski to the National League roster for Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta. He is replacing Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd.
That decision, however, didn’t sit well with some people.
Several Phillies players were displeased Misiorowski made it over their teammates Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez.
“That’s just how MLB does it now,” J.T. Realmuto told the Athletic. “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But those two (Sánchez and Suárez) are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”
Nick Castellanos said bluntly: “It’s turning into the Savannah Bananas.”
Former Mets All-Star pitcher Ron Darling talked about Misiorowski while calling New York’s game Saturday against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.
Darling said Misiorowski’s inclusion in the Midsummer Classic was “a joke to the game.”
“Listen, let’s separate the kid from the choice. He had nothing to do with it,” Darling said. “So to have any vitriol against The Miz, Misiorowski, is ill-placed and silly. It’s not his fault. They decided to do it. But it can also be kind of a joke to the game and the integrity of the game that he’s only pitched five times. Now, you were saying 11 times (Pirates star Paul) Skenes pitched last year, and he was in the All-Star Game, and it didn’t really raise any eyebrows around baseball.
“I think the problem is, is that there are so many deserving pitchers out there that look askance at this choice. So again, separating this young man who’s gotten off to a great start in his career, he had nothing to do with the choice. But it’s a bad choice.”
Despite all the noise, Misiorowski, 23, was choked up while talking with reporters about his selection. He attended the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium as a kid.
“I’m speechless,” said Misiorowski, who pitched at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri. “I mean, it’s awesome. It’s, very unexpected, and it’s an honor.
“I remember going to that and seeing that, and I thought it was the coolest thing that all the big stars were in one place. So it’s gonna be fun. It’s going to be exciting.”
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 8:47 AM.
