Jacob Misiorowski, the Milwaukee Brewers’ flamethrowing right-hander, became the fastest starting pitcher in baseball history on June 26, 2026, when he threw a 105.5 mph fastball to Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong during an 0-2 count in the first inning of a 6-2 Brewers victory at American Family Field. The pitch tied him with Los Angeles Angels hurler Ben Joyce for the third-hardest tracked in MLB history, just 0.3 mph shy of Aroldis Chapman’s record 105.8 mph mark.
Why This Pitch Matters: The Numbers That Redefine Velocity
Misiorowski’s 105.5 mph fastball wasn’t just a career high—it shattered his own record of 104.5 mph, set just two weeks earlier against the Phillies. The Brewers’ 24-year-old ace has now thrown three pitches at or above 105 mph in 2026 alone, with his average fastball velocity hovering around 101.6 mph. MLB.com reports the pitch was part of a dominant start where he struck out eight batters in six innings, lowered his MLB-leading ERA to 1.45, and allowed just four earned runs since May 1. His dominance extends beyond velocity: in the same game, he threw 12 fastballs in a 1-2-3 first inning, all at 102 mph or above.
But the real story isn’t just the number—it’s the context. Misiorowski’s velocity surge comes as he’s cementing himself as one of the National League’s top All-Star candidates. Since May 1, he’s allowed only four earned runs, a stretch that the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel calls “one of the most remarkable stretches by any pitcher in baseball.” His ability to mix heat with command—he walked four batters but struck out eight in this start—makes him a unique threat in an era where pure velocity often comes at the cost of control.
A Pitch That Rewrote the Record Books
The 105.5 mph fastball isn’t just a personal best—it’s a historical milestone. According to Fox News, the pitch tied Misiorowski with Ben Joyce for the third-hardest ever tracked, behind only Aroldis Chapman’s 105.7 and 105.8 mph marks from 2010 and 2016. What makes this even more remarkable is that Misiorowski isn’t a relief specialist or a closer—he’s a starting pitcher, a role where velocity records are rarer and harder to sustain over six innings.
The pitch came in the first inning, on the third throw to Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. The scorebug confirmed the velocity, and while Crow-Armstrong fouled it away, the damage was already done: Misiorowski had just rewritten the record books. The Brewers’ pitching coach, Chris Hook, left him in the game despite loading the bases in the sixth inning—a testament to the confidence Hook has in his ace’s ability to handle pressure.
What Happens Next: Misiorowski’s Path to All-Star and Beyond
Misiorowski’s velocity isn’t just a fleeting moment—it’s a pattern. Since his record-setting 104.5 mph pitch against the Phillies, he’s consistently thrown heat in the mid-100s, with his fastball averaging 101.6 mph in this start. The question now is whether this becomes a sustainable trend or a peak. MLB.com notes that his season-high 107 pitches in this outing—while dominant—could be a red flag for durability. However, his ability to mix in a 90 mph slider (which accounted for the only run charged to him in this game) suggests he’s not just a one-pitch wonder.
The Brewers’ offense, which had struggled earlier in the season, finally broke through in this game, scoring three runs in the sixth inning. But the real story remains Misiorowski’s arm. With the NL East race heating up, his ability to dominate with velocity and command could be the difference between a playoff push and a midseason slump. The Cubs, meanwhile, have been one of the toughest offenses to crack this season, and Misiorowski’s ability to shut them down—even with a few walks—shows his growing maturity as a pitcher.
The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Brewers’ Playoff Hopes
Misiorowski’s performance isn’t just about velocity—it’s about timing. The Brewers are in the thick of the NL East race, and with stars like Corbin Burnes and Devin Williams also contributing, Milwaukee has a rotation that can carry them deep into October. The Cubs, meanwhile, are a team built on power hitting but have struggled with consistency, making them a potential late-season target for the Brewers.
What makes this even more intriguing is the historical context. Aroldis Chapman, the only pitcher to throw harder than Misiorowski, was a relief specialist known for his electric stuff. Misiorowski, by contrast, is a starting pitcher who can go deep into games—something Chapman rarely did. If Misiorowski can maintain this level of dominance, he could redefine what it means to be a modern ace: not just a power arm, but a complete pitcher who can handle the rigors of a full season.
Expert Reactions: How Analysts Are Reacting
While the sources don’t include direct quotes from analysts, the reaction from fans and media has been overwhelming. Fox News framed Misiorowski as a “human howitzer,” a term that captures both his velocity and the sheer force behind his pitches. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel emphasized the rarity of his achievement, noting that he’s not just breaking records—he’s redefining what’s possible for starting pitchers.
The bigger question now is whether this becomes a trend or a peak. Misiorowski’s ability to mix velocity with command is what sets him apart, but even the best pitchers can’t sustain 105 mph fastballs over a full season. The Brewers’ front office will be watching closely to see if this is the start of a historic run or just a flash in the pan.
One thing is clear: Misiorowski isn’t just a pitcher anymore—he’s a phenomenon. And with the Brewers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance, his ability to deliver when it matters most will be the story of the rest of the season.
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