Major League Baseball sparked some controversy this past week when it announced Milwaukee Brewers rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski was named an All-Star after just five career major-league starts. Now, there’s a reported explanation for why the young standout might appear in the MLB All-Star Game.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, MLB officials “reached out to about a dozen pitchers” regarding an opening for the National League in the upcoming All-Star Game. All of them reportedly declined the opportunity, which resulted in the league pivoting to the rookie hurler.
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- Jacob Misiorowski stats (ESPN): 4-1 record, 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP, 33-11 K-BB, 12 hits allowed across 25.2 innings pitched
Misiorowski, age 23, broke Paul Skenes’ record for the fewest career games played in the majors before making the All-Star Game. The selection came just a month after the 6-foot-7 righty made his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 12.
The heralded right-handed pitcher has certainly been dominant thus far. He allowed just two earned runs and three hits across his first 16 innings pitched, and he’s surrendered two runs or fewer in four of his five major league starts this season.
- Jacob Misiorowski salary (Spotrac): $445,374 this season
However, many around baseball were upset by his inclusion in the MLB All-Star Game. Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner ripped the decision, telling The Athletic that MLB’s choice was “f—ing terrible,” while teammate Nick Castellanos said the league’s decisions with All-Star rosters are turning the Midsummer Classic “into the Savannah Bananas.”
“That’s just how MLB does it now. Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But [Suarez and Sanchez] are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto on Jacob Misiorwski being added to the MLB All-Star Game (via The Athletic)
The Phillies’ players were particularly upset that Misiorowski was added instead of teammates Ranger Suarez (1.94 ERA and 1.05 WHIP) and Cristopher Sanchez (2.50 ERA and 1.14 WHIP). Suarez’s success came in 13 starts (83.2 innings pitched) this season, while Sanchez’s numbers were compiled over 115 innings.
In MLB’s defense, it went to Suarez and Sanchez first. Suarez told reporters that he declined an invitation, preferring to take the four days of rest before the final stretch of the season. Sanchez refuted reports that he declined the invite, but it’s possible the team refused since he threw 89 pitches in Sunday’s win.
While there’s a strong argument to be made that five starts isn’t enough to earn a spot in the MLB All-Star Game, the bigger issue for baseball is the number of pitchers who don’t want to be involved. If that continues to be the case, with pitchers opting to preserve their arms for meaningful games, participation and interest in the All-Star Game could decline even more in the coming years.
