Milwaukee Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski threw his first major league pitch just weeks ago. Now he’s heading to the All-Star Game with only five starts under his belt, sparking a debate that cuts to the heart of what baseball’s midsummer classic should really be about. Is this about rewarding the most deserving players, or is MLB using its biggest stage to manufacture the next generation of stars?
Why Did MLB Choose Jacob Misiorowski Over More Deserving Players?
Misiorowski is 23 years old and had only five starts into his MLB career, making that the fewest number of starts for an All-Star in MLB history. He’s 4-1 this season with a 2.81 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings. While those numbers are solid, they pale in comparison to what other candidates have accomplished this season.
The Brewers’ rookie brings something different to the table that traditional statistics don’t capture. Misiorowski throws 100+ mph fastballs and has two elite off-speed pitches in his slider and curveball. That combination of velocity and movement creates the kind of electric matchups that make casual fans stop scrolling and start watching.
Jeff Passan joined “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss Misiorowski’s All-Star selection, and he believes MLB is trying to turn the young flamethrower into a star. Passan said, “When you bring a guy who throws 102 or 103 to an event, where eyeballs are gonna be on it a whole lot more than they normally are for the Milwaukee Brewers, what are you trying to do? You are trying to create a star.”
A lot of people are talking about Jacob Misiorowski being added to the National League All-Star team instead of Cristopher Sanchez…@JeffPassan shares his thoughts #ProgrumSummerRoadTrip pic.twitter.com/pNHqI2KwN3
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 14, 2025
This strategy makes sense from a marketing perspective. Seeing Misiorowski face off against the best hitters in baseball will be a treat for baseball fans who love watching power versus power. The All-Star Game provides the perfect showcase for his triple-digit fastball against hitters who rarely see that kind of velocity.
However, to put Misiorowski on the team, someone like Cristopher Sanchez of the Philadelphia Phillies was kept off the roster. Sanchez is much more deserving based on traditional metrics, having thrown 115.0 innings this season with an ERA of 2.50. That’s more than four times the innings pitched with a better ERA, yet he’s watching from home while the rookie heads to the big stage.
What Does This Mean for Future All-Star Selections?
Sanchez is just one of many players who have a reason to be upset for not making the All-Star team. This selection sends a clear message about MLB’s priorities: entertainment value and star-making potential now carry significant weight alongside traditional performance metrics.
The league faces a constant challenge in attracting younger fans and maintaining relevance in an increasingly crowded sports landscape. By showcasing players like Misiorowski, MLB is betting that spectacular individual performances will create viral moments and lasting memories that extend far beyond the game itself.
This approach isn’t entirely new, but it’s becoming more obvious. The All-Star Game has always balanced merit with entertainment, but Misiorowski’s selection represents perhaps the most extreme example of prioritizing potential over proven production in recent memory.
Can the All-Star Game Still Deliver Must-See Baseball?
Even if you don’t agree with some of the players who made the team, the All-Star Game is still one of the best events on the MLB calendar. Many of the best players in the league are participating, and that should lead to some fun baseball regardless of the selection controversies.
Many great players on small-market teams will get the opportunity to show what they can do in front of the whole country. In a year where 30 players are making their All-Star Game debut, it should be full of exciting moments that remind fans why they fell in love with baseball in the first place.
The real test will be whether Misiorowski can justify his selection with his performance. If he strikes out multiple elite hitters with his blazing fastball, the controversy will quickly fade. If he struggles under the bright lights, it will fuel the debate about merit versus marketing for years to come.
Ultimately, the All-Star Game serves multiple purposes: honoring the season’s best performers, entertaining fans, and growing the sport’s popularity. Misiorowski’s selection shows that MLB is willing to prioritize the latter two goals, even when it means leaving more deserving players at home.
