It can be difficult to be a journeyman in baseball, especially when your job is never guaranteed. However, Bats reliever Anthony Misiewicz has relished in each and every opportunity that he’s had this season and is making the transition to his new organization well.
A native of Detroit, Misiewicz has been around the block as both a Major and Minor League arm. He’s now been a part of eight different organizations, including his hometown Tigers, in 12 years as a pro. At 31-years-old, Misiewicz had another decision to make in the offseason, and took a chance on the Reds.
“I know it was kind of getting down to the wire and I was looking at organizations that needed some pitching,” he said. “I thought the Reds were one of them, and I wanted to pitch to have a chance to make the big leagues, so the Reds were a good fit.”
Although not yet called up to Cincinnati this season, Misiewicz boasts plenty of big league experience. He has 136 career MLB appearances, which widely surpasses anyone else on the active Bats bullpen. Connor Phillips has the second-most with 51.
Since making his debut in 2020 with Seattle, who drafted him in the 18th round in the 2015 MLB Draft, he’s made relief outings for the Royals, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Yankees, and most recently with the Twins in 2025. His experience goes deep with the Triple-A level as well, totaling 179 appearances in six seasons.
That experience, along with already completing the dream of making the big leagues, could be enough for someone to call their career complete. Nevertheless, Misiewicz is continuing to take in each new experience at face value and improve on his craft.
“I think each organization is different in how they break down the numbers and what they look at specifically, so I just try to put myself in a good spot for the following years,” he said. “I learn from place to place and see what they kind of look at as an organization and break down data-wise. Here I'm still trying to figure it out. They like velocity a lot, which is not my strongest suit, but I do know how to pitch, and I can always fall back on that.”
Misiewicz has shown his ability to pitch around hitters with a varied arsenal this season, throwing a cutter, fastball, changeup and curveball. His stuff has allowed him to have another tremendous year on the bump, recording a 1.95 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 32 appearances before the All-Star break.
Perhaps what makes him most valuable, though, is his ability to enter the game in many different scenarios and still return to fine form. Whether it’s only needing to throw one pitch to escape an inning for the Bats on May 19 at Columbus, or work through a bases-loaded jam to help protect the lead against Indianapolis on May 13, he’s ready for any and every situation.
“It's never easy to get that call when you've got to pick up one of your fellow bullpen guys,” he said. “But I have the confidence in myself, and it feels good getting the call to do that. If something happens, you know, maybe it wasn't the best pitch, or maybe the best count, but I have to know I gave it 110 percent out there, and I'm doing everything I can to prevent those guys from crossing the plate. In the moment, I don't think about it; I just get the ball from Pat Kelly and just do what I’m supposed to do.”
Misiewicz has been able to work through a variety of close calls this season at a high level, producing eight holds for the Bats before the break. That number sits tied with Trevor Kuncl for the team lead, and is also tied for second amongst the International League, as well as tied for 10th in all of Minor League baseball.
That’s granted him the trust of skipper Pat Kelly, who’s seen plenty of talented arms make their way through Louisville.
“It's just nice to know that he can basically pitch in any situation,” Kelly said. “He can come in late in the ball game, in the middle of an inning with guys on base, or he can start an inning against a lineup that's got a lot of lefties. It's really nice as a manager just looking for a pocket that you know you can use them to help the club.”
To keep that sort of composure doesn’t come easy for a lot of players, but Misiewicz keeps his cool in outings where he’s needed to stand tall. Some credit mentality, others credit coaching. Misiewicz, well, gives some credit to golf.
“Being a pitcher, it's probably the only sport, other than golf, that it's literally everything is on you,” he said. “You control the shot, you control the pitch, so it's all about that execution leading up to that pitch or that golf shot. “I definitely get a little animated on the golf course because I've been playing for so long and I've been pitching for so long, it should be second nature, but anything can happen in the moments. Telling myself, ‘Focus on that next shot or that next pitch’ is always the most important thing.”
Golf and its trials aren’t the only sport Misiewicz is all too familiar with. A graduate of Anchor Bay High School in 2012, Misiewicz was also a two-year starter as a quarterback. Coming out of high school, he stayed close to home and played baseball for Michigan State from 2013 to 2015.
Instead of getting animated on the golf course, Misiewicz has shown some lively moments on the mound for Louisville. Some of those came in moments where he would savor, and others came in instances he wouldn’t mind forgetting. No matter what, you can’t deny his passion for the game.
“I would say it shows I care, he said. “I can't say I care more than any of these other guys; I'm sure they do just as much. I care a lot, and when something doesn't go my way, I show it, but it's all right. They show it too, they have bad breaks. The best I can do is slam my glove on the ground, so we'll just go with that.”
His passion has paid dividends for the Bats, playing an integral part as one of the few left-handed relievers as the team heads into the mid-season hiatus. But Misiewicz’s goal of returning to the Majors hasn’t faltered, and he now has some added motivation.
Misiewicz, now recently married, is expecting his first child with his wife, who is due in the coming weeks. Now with a family on the way, Misiewicz is working towards the chance to provide for his family, while also proving his worth.
“I would say that's a little bit more of a presser and my motivational standard right there,” he said. “I want to get to the big leagues and do what I'm supposed to do. I think I have a good chance right now, but I’m going to keep my head down, keep throwing the ball while whatever happens, happens."