Must-see TV: Misiorowski is "the Miz" but call his arsenal "misery"

There are pitchers who throw hard, and then there’s Jacob Misiorowski. At just 23 years old, this right-handed phenom, affectionately dubbed “the Miz” by those who follow his burgeoning career, is quickly becoming appointment viewing for anyone who appreciates the art of pitching. But for opposing hitters, his arrival on the mound is less about entertainment and more about an impending sense of dread. Indeed, calling Misiorowski’s arsenal “misery” for batters isn't hyperbole; it's an accurate description of the helpless flailing and whispered frustrations he leaves in his wake.

The foundation of Misiorowski's dominance is, undeniably, his fastball. It's not just fast; it’s a blur that routinely clocks in north of 100 miles per hour, often touching 102 or 103 with late life that makes it incredibly difficult to square up. But what truly elevates Misiorowski from a mere flamethrower to a legitimate top-tier pitching prospect is the devastating complement to that heater: his slider. This isn't just any secondary pitch; it's a weapon of mass deception, delivered from a near-identical arm slot to his fastball. Starting in the strike zone at a blistering upper-90s velocity, it fools hitters into thinking they're seeing another four-seamer, only for it to dart violently away or down, leaving them swinging at air or frozen in disbelief. The sheer velocity difference is minimal, but the movement profile is a nightmare, creating a tunnel that makes both pitches nearly impossible to differentiate until it's too late.

Beyond the fastball-slider tandem that forms the core of his misery-inducing repertoire, Misiorowski is diligently refining a third offering, most notably a developing curveball that adds another layer of depth to his game. While not yet as consistently sharp as his primary pitches, the curveball, with its slower velocity and distinct break, provides a crucial change of pace and eye-level adjustment that prevents hitters from sitting solely on his heat and slider. His developing command, particularly of the fastball to both sides of the plate, hints at an even higher ceiling. For a 23-year-old with such an advanced and powerful arsenal, the trajectory is clear: Misiorowski possesses the raw stuff and the competitive fire to become a front-line pitcher, whether as a dominant starter or an unhittable high-leverage reliever. The "misery" he inflicts upon batters is only just beginning, and baseball fans everywhere should be tuning in.