Crew sending Opening Day battery to Philly as Miz, Contreras named All-Stars

PHOENIX – Jacob Misiorowski is 2-for-2 on All-Star appearances.

The 24-year-old flamethrower has been selected to represent the Brewers in the 2026 All-Star Game Presented by Mastercard, marking an appearance in the Midsummer Classic in each of his first two seasons as a Major Leaguer. Heading into Saturday’s action, Misiorowski led the Majors in strikeouts (156), ERA (1.47), WHIP (0.78) and opposing batting average (.150). He’s recorded a shutout while tossing the eighth-most innings of any pitcher (104) this season, and he would almost assuredly earn the starting nod if scheduling conflicts hadn’t essentially ruled it out.

He’s still going to be sure to take it all in, yet again.

“Just being in that locker room, I mean, it's so much fun,” Misiorowski said. “Last year, you saw [Clayton] Kershaw and guys like that. Sadly that was his last, but it's still really cool to be in a situation like that, and just get to be around those guys.”

Misiorowski’s electric stuff is a leading reason why the Brewers entered the Fourth of July with a six-game advantage over the second-place Cubs in the NL Central with 54 wins that rank second in all of Major League Baseball, behind only the Dodgers’ 58.

The cherry on top? He’ll be joined in Philadelphia by his catcher, William Contreras, who was named an All-Star for the third time in his seven-year MLB career.

“I think it’s a beautiful moment for us,” Contreras said through translator Daniel de Mondesert. “I’m extremely happy for him. He’s been a superstar.”

Misiorowski is the eighth pitcher to earn an All-Star nod in each of his first two professional seasons.

His fastball ranks third among qualified pitchers this season with an average speed of 100.4 mph, and his name is plastered all over Statcast’s list of fastest pitches by starters, just two years into his big league career.

Misiorowski has become a legitimate National League Cy Young Award front-runner, and his consistent, stellar performances have put the Brewers in an excellent position for yet another postseason run.

“MLB does an incredible job of putting this event on, and you know, it's part of our national pastime,” manager Pat Murphy said after informing Misiorowski and Contreras. “It just feels overwhelming to even be part of it, handing out invitations. It feels kind of cool.”

Here’s a little more on both of Milwaukee’s All-Stars:

Jacob Misiorowski, RHP
Previous All-Star appearances: One (2025)
Something to know: He probably won’t pitch in the All-Star Game because he’s lined up to start the Brewers’ first-half finale, but it wouldn’t be a Midsummer Classic without Misiorowski involved. He set velocity records nearly every time out during a dazzling first half, including a 105.5 mph fastball to Cubs star Pete Crow-Armstrong on June 26 that set a record for a starting pitcher during the pitch tracking era, which dates to 2008.

Put more simply: There isn’t a pitcher like him in the game today.

“It's an honor to do it, and I’m excited to represent the team,” MIsiorowski said. “You look back and you realize what you've done, but at the same time, there's still 70-something games left. You still have a long season ahead of you.”

William Contreras, C
Previous All-Star appearances: Two (2022, 2024)
Something to know: When he came to the Brewers, he was known as Willson’s little brother and an offense-first player. But in the years since, William Contreras has made a name for himself as one of baseball’s best all-around backstops. Besides hitting in the middle of Milwaukee’s order -- Contreras has a 120 OPS+ in a Brewers uniform -- he’s a huge factor in Milwaukee’s success on the run prevention front in recent years.

The 28-year-old is enjoying the best batting average of his career to this point, hitting .293 with nine home runs and 51 RBIs in 82 games this season.

“It has a lot of significance for me, personally,” Contreras said. “You’ve worked really hard and you set goals for yourself to achieve, and this was one of the goals that I had.”

Even so, he’s got loftier expectations in mind for the season’s second half.

“I still don’t think that you have to conform to those numbers,” he said. “I still want to strive for more.”