Full Breakdown
Jacob Misiorowski’s All-Star Selection, Ineligibility, and Cy Young Implications
7/4/2026, 1:44:15 PM
Season Performance
Jacob Misiorowski, 24, right-hander for the Milwaukee Brewers, leads qualified MLB pitchers with a 1.47 ERA, league-best WHIP, 156 strikeouts, 104 innings, and a 4.3 WAR. His true-outcome (TTO) rate is 47.3 %, strikeout rate 38.8 %, walk rate 7.2 %. He outperforms NL rival Cristopher Sánchez (2.00 ERA, 5.8 bWAR, 117 innings, 136 strikeouts) in ERA and strikeouts, making him the NL frontrunner for the Cy Young Award.
All-Star Ineligibility
MLB rules bar any pitcher who starts on the Sunday before the All-Star break from appearing in the midsummer classic. The Brewers scheduled Misiorowski to start on Tuesday, July 12, versus the Pittsburgh Pirates, making him ineligible for the All-Star Game on Tuesday, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park. He will attend as a spectator despite being selected.
Official Statements & Responses
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said the team is prioritizing wins and Misiorowski’s health. MLB reiterated the Sunday-start rule. National League manager Dave Roberts noted no decision on Shohei Ohtani’s All-Star availability. MLB.com analyst Mark Feinsand projected the Brewers will limit Misiorowski’s second-half innings to protect his health, a move that could affect his Cy Young candidacy.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts argue that curbing Misiorowski’s workload may lower his innings total, jeopardizing his Cy Young chances. Feinsand warned that falling well below 200 innings would “significantly hurt his NL Cy Young odds.” ESPN’s Bradford Doolittle noted Cristopher Sánchez’s superior bWAR (5.8) gives him an edge, and reduced usage could widen the gap.
Why It Matters / Impact
Misiorowski’s exclusion from the All-Star mound highlights the trade-off between individual honors and team priorities. The Brewers’ health-first approach supports their NL Central lead but may diminish the league’s most prominent pitching award. The case also underscores the ABS challenge system’s emphasis on strikeouts versus walks, as Misiorowski’s low walk rate drives his success.
What’s Next
The Brewers are expected to monitor Misiorowski’s innings after the All-Star break, potentially delaying his next start to preserve durability. The Cy Young race will intensify as both Misiorowski and Sánchez continue to accrue innings through September.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I get it. We're not looking for right now, we're looking for September and October. It sucks. Obviously, I want to throw in a game like that. So be it,” — Jacob Misiorowski, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
- “I'm being honest: We're just trying to win games,” — Pat Murphy, Manager, Milwaukee Brewers
- “Jacob Misiorowski is a Cy Young favorite in the NL, but he's already thrown 104 innings, leaving him only 25 1/3 away from last season's career high,” — Mark Feinsand, MLB.com Analyst
- “The difference here remains Sanchez's NL-best 5.8 pitching bWAR, a figure that is 4.3 at FanGraphs.” — Bradford Doolittle, ESPN Analyst
