With elite heat, Misiorowski aims to continue rapid ascension?

PHOENIX -- Jacob Misiorowski's journey through the Brewers' Minor League system last season mirrored his often stunning stuff.

Rapid and rising.

Misiorowski, who threw his third bullpen of Spring Training on Sunday, blew through Single-A Carolina and High-A Wisconsin before finishing his first full professional season at Double-A Biloxi. He also made a quick stop at the Futures Game, where he threw 11 fastballs -- all hitting triple-digits and topping out at 102.4 mph.

After navigating a year of pro ball, Misiorowski learned a valuable lesson about his four-seamer and secondary pitches, a slider being the main complement to the heat.

”It plays,” he said, modestly. “The biggest thing I learned was that I had confidence in myself to do what I could do.”

Misiorowski, who turns 22 on April 3, was drafted by the Brewers in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft and is ranked by MLB Pipeline as baseball's No. 33 prospect. This spring, Misiorowski is a non-roster invitee in his first Major League camp, and while he'll likely require more seasoning in the Minor Leagues, his stuff will at least make the decision intriguing, especially with Corbin Burnes (trade) and Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder surgery) no longer anchoring the rotation.

“Probably one of the most impressive bullpens I’ve seen in a while,” said veteran Joe Ross, who has been in the same throwing group as Misiorowski. “Cheese at the knees all day long.”

The Brewers have also been pleased with Misiorowski's commitment as the right-hander has been at the Brewers' Spring Training complex since arriving early for a camp in January.

In 2023, Misiorowski was 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA and 110 strikeouts across 71 1/3 innings in 20 starts at three levels, good for 13.9 strikeouts per nine innings. For all the punchouts, Misiorowski also walked 42 batters (5.3 BB/9), and command is the next step.

“It’s a natural, quick arm,” pitching coach Chris Hook said. “He’s a quick mover. All the things he does end up being velo. Whatever pitch you want to name, it’s off the charts. He’s a talented young man.

“Stuff is one thing. You get that naturally. Routine is going to be the key to his success. He has two tremendous breaking balls. Fastball command is key. He moved very fast. Part of his routine is getting to understand how his body moves and getting on time with that. We don’t want to slow that down, we want to control. When he starts getting that down, the command will come.”

Misiorowski was selected 63rd overall after going 10-0 with 136 strikeouts across 76 innings in 2022 at Crowder College, which also produced Brewers’ left-hander Aaron Ashby.

“He’s going to be a big league pitcher at some point,” Milwaukee manager Pat Murphy said. “[Players] are ready when they are ready, but not too many people are holding those type of people back. It’s making sure they are ready."

Misiorowski, standing at 6-foot-7 and 190 pounds, struck out three in a scoreless inning of work in the 2023 Futures Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, calling it the experience “fun” and "crazy.”

“It was nothing like I ever experienced,” said Misioroswki, adding that playing against his peers in a high-level environment was his favorite part.

If his career arc includes a return to the Minors in the short term, so be it.

“It’s one of those things you play it by ear,” Misiorowski said of a chance to open in the big leagues. “Obviously I’m hoping that is true and that happens. If it doesn’t, I’m in Double-A again. We’re going to have fun and throw like I was last year.”