MLB Reportedly Asked 'About a Dozen Pitchers' to Play All-Star Game Before Misiorowski

Major League Baseball shocked plenty of observers when it named Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Jacob Misiorowski to the All-Star Game despite his inexperience with just five career starts, but he reportedly was not the first choice as a replacement pick.

"MLB officials actually reached out to about a dozen pitchers looking for a replacement for the All-Star Game until Misiorowski agreed on Friday," USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Sunday.

Notably, Nightengale noted that "MLB is concerned by the rash of players who have bailed out of the All-Star Game this year. The most common reason by the players who have opted out of playing the game is 'is rest and recuperation.'"

Misiorowski, who replaced Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd, has been nothing but impressive during those five starts, as he has a 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings as a major reason the Brewers have caught fire of late.

Still, it was stunning to see someone with such little experience make the Midsummer Classic at this stage of his career. He broke Paul Skenes' record for the fewest games prior to an All-Star Game selection in the process.

The Pittsburgh Pirates ace made just 11 starts last season before being named to the game:

Not everyone is happy about Misiorowski's inclusion, as Trea Turner of the Philadelphia Phillies told Matt Gelb of The Athletic it was "f--king terrible" and "a joke" to include a pitcher with just five career starts.

Teammate Nick Castellanos said "It's turning into the Savannah Bananas."

Still, this is just an exhibition game meant to showcase the game's brightest stars. Home-field advantage in the World Series is no longer at stake, and it is more just a nod to the game's history and a contest largely put on for the fans.

Misiorowski has been one of the stories of the past month and has the Brewers in playoff position in the National League Central. The league also may have been running out of options given Nightengale's report, which surely played a role in the decision.