Milwaukee, WI – Milwaukee Brewers rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski is making waves in Major League Baseball, etching his name into the history books with an unprecedented start to his big league career. The hard-throwing right-hander delivered another dominant performance on Friday night against the Minnesota Twins, taking a perfect game deep into the contest and extending a remarkable hitless streak.
Misiorowski, a 23-year-old top prospect, ultimately lost his bid for a perfect game and no-hitter in the seventh inning of the Brewers’ commanding 17-6 victory. After issuing a walk to Byron Buxton, Matt Wallner connected for a two-run home run, bringing Misiorowski’s historic run to an end. However, the hitless innings streak he built across his first two career starts reached an astounding 11 frames, setting a modern-era record for a starting pitcher.
A Record for the Ages
Misiorowski’s achievement marks the first time since 1900 that a starting pitcher has begun his MLB career with 11 consecutive hitless innings. This surpasses a 125-year-old mark, placing the 6-foot-7 rookie in a class of his own among starters. While reliever Austin Cox holds the overall record with 11 2/3 hitless innings to begin his career in 2023, Misiorowski’s feat as a starter holds distinct historical significance.
The record-setting streak began in his MLB debut on June 12th against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he threw five no-hit innings before exiting due to cramping. He followed that with an arguably even sharper outing against the Twins, carrying the no-hit bid into the seventh and extending his career total to 11 hitless frames before Wallner’s homer.
Dominant Pitching Arsenal
Beyond the historical statistics, Misiorowski showcased an electrifying pitching arsenal against the Twins. He struck out six batters, demonstrating impressive command and velocity. His fastball consistently hit triple digits, topping out at a scorching 102.1 mph.
Even more remarkable was the speed of his secondary pitches. His slider was particularly devastating, registering speeds in the mid-90s and peaking at an extraordinary 96.7 mph. Opponents were left bewildered, with Twins hitter Willi Castro describing the pitch as “really hard to pick up,” noting the rarity of a pitcher throwing a slider at 95-96 mph. Manager Pat Murphy praised Misiorowski’s approach, noting he wasn’t just relying on heat but “attacking, but mixing too.”
According to Major League Baseball tracking data (since 2008), Misiorowski threw 29 pitches of 100 mph or higher against the Twins, with 12 reaching 101 mph or more. This single-game total for pitches 101+ mph is a rare feat for a starter, exceeded only by Hunter Greene and Jordan Hicks since data collection began.
Poise Beyond His Years
Misiorowski himself acknowledged feeling more composed in his second start compared to his debut. “I felt calmer and ready to go compared to the first one,” the young pitcher said. “Nerves were going pretty heavy on the first one, so it’s good to finally feel the feet under you.” He described the experience as exactly how he had “ever dreamed of it coming along.”
Manager Pat Murphy noted Misiorowski’s growth, stating he seemed even better and more in command in his second outing. Despite a long break while the Brewers’ offense exploded for five runs in the top of the seventh, Misiorowski was determined to return to the mound. “He said, ‘Yes, I’m getting toward the end, but I want to challenge myself,'” Murphy recounted.
Teammate Christian Yelich, who had a career-high eight RBIs in the game, lauded the rookie’s potential. “It’s important to prove to yourself as a young player that you belong in the big leagues and taste success,” Yelich said. “He should believe he’s a really good major league pitcher because he is… He’s got a chance to do something special every night he goes out there.”
Historic Start, Historic Numbers
Beyond the hitless streak, Misiorowski holds another unique distinction highlighted by OptaStats: he is the only major league pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to have more wins (two) than hits allowed (one) after his first two career starts. His early career ERA sits at a stellar 1.64.
After surrendering the homer in the seventh, Misiorowski was pulled from the game, leaving to a well-deserved standing ovation, even from the opposing crowd in Minnesota. While potential concerns about his control have been noted as he develops (he issued four walks in his debut), his first two major league appearances have exceeded even the most optimistic expectations for the No. 66 overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
With an arsenal boasting triple-digit heat and a devastating high-velocity slider, there is significant excitement surrounding Jacob Misiorowski’s future and the potential for more history to be made.
