On Friday, Brewers rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski was named to the All-Star Game despite making just five starts in his career.
The announcement was the next step in a sharp rise for Misiorowski, who exploded onto the scene with a 2.81 ERA in 25.2 innings, which included 11-straight hitless innings to begin his career. The 23-year-old has been compared to star pitchers like Paul Skenes and Jacob deGrom, thanks to his electric fastball and 6-7 frame.
MUST SEE: Jacob Misiorowski’s first three pitches to start his Major League career:
100 MPH 🔥
102 MPH 🔥
101 MPH 🔥 pic.twitter.com/gObMMacPDT— MLB (@MLB) June 12, 2025
However, it also exposed a potential flaw in All-Star voting, as several worthy candidates were passed over despite pitching in the majors for the entire season thus far. As a result, many players and coaches expressed their frustration that the league is allowing such an inexperienced player to participate. Misiorowski is the least-experienced All-Star in MLB history, per Jeff Passan.
At the center of the controversy is Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez, who has not been named an All-Star despite pitching to a 2.59 ERA in 18 starts this year. Sanchez is set to start on Sunday, which may be why he wasn’t chose to pitch in Tuesday’s game. Nonetheless, Phillies players were still upset.
Here’s a breakdown of what happened.
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Jacob Misiorowski vs. Cristopher Sanchez All-Star controversy
Cristopher Sanchez, who was an All-Star last year, has been even better this year, posting a career-high ERA thus far. However, Sanchez didn’t make the NL All-Star roster, being passed over in favor of several other starters.
Some of Sanchez’s Phillies teammates sounded off on the lefty pitcher getting left off the roster for Misiorowski, especially considering Misiorowski replaced Phillies ace Zach Wheeler on the team.
“What a joke,” shortstop Trea Turner said, via The Athletic. “That’s f-ing terrible. I mean, that’s terrible, dude…it’s not the All-Star Game in the sense that the best players go there, or people who have had the best season. It’s whoever sells the most tickets or has been put on social media the most. That’s essentially what it’s turned into.”
Catcher J.T. Realmuto agreed with Turner’s assessment, putting the onus on Major League Baseball.
“That’s just how MLB does it now,” he said. “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But those two (Sánchez and Ranger Suarez) are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”
And of course, Nick Castellanos criticized the decision as only he would.
“It’s turning into the Savannah Bananas,” Castellanos said.
The Phillies weren’t the only people to criticize the process. Mets broadcaster Ron Darling also had issues with Misiorowski making the team.
“It’s not his fault they decided to do it,” Darling said. “But it can also be kind of a joke to the game and the integrity of the game.”
“Let’s separate the kid from the choice. He had nothing to do with it. So, to have any vitriol against Misiorowski is ill-placed and silly. It’s not his fault they decided to do it. But it can also be kind of a joke to the game and the integrity of the game.” – Ron Darling. pic.twitter.com/NdDByHfHI3
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 12, 2025
Jacob Misiorowski vs. Cristopher Sanchez 2025 stats
| Jacob Misiorowski | Cristopher Sanchez | |
| Games | 5 | 18 |
| Record | 4-1 | 7-2 |
| IP | 25.2 | 107.2 |
| ERA | 2.81 | 2.59 |
| WHIP | 0.896 | 1.133 |
| K | 33 | 116 |
| Hits | 12 | 93 |
| BB | 11 | 29 |
While the start to Misiorowski’s career is no doubt impressive, Sanchez has pitched at an All-Star level for the entire season. The lefty has a lower ERA than Misiorowski despite pitching in 13 more games, and is in the top 10 in ERA among qualified pitchers through his first 18 games.
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Jacob Misiorowski age
Misiorowski was born on April 3, 2002, which means he will be 23 years old for the rest of the 2025 season. The Brewers drafted Misiorowski in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Crowder College after Misiorowski played two seasons of college baseball.
MORE: Where is the MLB All-Star Game in 2025?
Cristopher Sanchez All-Star bonus
One reason many Phillies were upset with Sanchez not making the All-Star team is that the pitcher is due an extra $50,000 for that appearance. However, Sanchez will be getting the money anyway. The Phillies will pay Sanchez the full All-Star bonus despite Sanchez not getting the trip to Atlanta.
Sanchez has been very appreciated by his team’s support in the past few days, whether it’s his teammates or the front office.
“My teammates and my team are showing support and the front office as well has been supporting so much that they decided to, even though I’m not officially a part of the game, they’ve decided to activate the bonus clause that gets me a bonus for making the All-Star team,” Sanchez said, via NBC Sports. “They decided to inform me that way and that just shows the overall support I’m receiving.”
Sanchez acknowledged that his Sunday start likely cost him the All-Star appearance. Nonetheless, his teammates’ reactions were more-than-enough for him.
“It just means a lot. That’s why I love everybody here, I love everybody on this team,” Sanchez said. “We’re one. We’re playing for one team and it just feels like we’re one, one big group. Everyone knows that I’m an All-Star here.”
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