Jacob Misiorowski Responds to Criticism Over All-Star Selection After 5 MLB Games

Jacob Misiorowski isn't upset with anyone who criticized his inclusion in the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game despite making just five starts.

"They're not upset with me," the Milwaukee Brewers rookie told reporters Monday while also revealing he too was surprised that he was named as a replacement for Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd.

"The last five weeks have been insane," the fireballer added. "I thought the All-Star break would be a chance to sit down and reflect. Now we're here."

Members of the Philadelphia Phillies were perhaps the most vocal in their criticism, which wasn't particularly surprising since Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez were potential candidates who could have been named to the game instead of Misiorowski.

Trea Turner told Matt Gelb of The Athletic it was a "joke" and "f---ing terrible," while Nick Castellanos said "it's turning into the Savannah Bananas" with the league only concerned about getting more people to watch the game.

"Major League Baseball is really just focusing on the most marketable players," Castellanos said. "So the fact that they can have somebody in the game that is going to basically blow out one inning and throw 103, 104, they're going to get more eyeballs on baseball. They're going to think it's getting more popular."

It should be noted that Misiorowski reportedly was not the league's first choice.

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

The same report pointed out MLB was also "concerned" with how many players decided to skip this year's game.

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes set the record for the fewest games prior to an All-Star selection last year with 11, but Misiorowski has appeared in fewer than half with just five. 

At least he has been dominant in those starts with a 2.81 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in 25.2 innings, but that likely won't quiet some of the noise surrounding his inclusion.