Aaron Judge Praises Jacob Misiorowski’s Dominant Debut Against Yankees MILWAUKEE – Yankees superstar Aaron Judge praised Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski for his standout performance in their Saturday matchup. The 6-foot-7 right-hander, making his first career start against the Bronx Bombers, struck out 11 batters and reached a fastball velocity of 103.6 mph. Judge, who has faced many elite pitchers, called Misiorowski’s fastball “one of the best I’ve ever seen,” highlighting the young star’s ability to mix velocity with deception. Misiorowski retired Judge in all three at-bats. The first encounter came in the first inning when Misiorowski had Judge in a 0-2 count. Judge took a fastball low and away for a ball before lining out on the next pitch. In the fourth inning, Judge struck out on a 102.0 mph fastball, and again in the sixth on a 102.4 mph fastball. The final at-bat proved particularly telling, as Misiorowski’s legs began to fatigue. He walked Trent Grisham to start the sixth inning but quickly regained his rhythm, retiring the next three batters—including Judge and Cody Bellinger—with strikeouts. Judge noted Misiorowski’s ability to keep hitters off-balance, describing how the pitcher’s fastball often appeared to rise as it approached the plate. “He’s able to mix it up, kind of keep us off-balance,” Judge said. “Even though you’re up there expecting 103, all of a sudden he’ll mix in a curveball and drop in the slider when he needs to. It makes for an ‘uncomfy’ at-bat.” Judge also praised Misiorowski’s off-speed pitches, calling them a key factor in his dominance. Misiorowski’s performance included a 98.6 mph slider, which was the fastest pitch of the season classified as a slider by Statcast. Going into Saturday’s games, Misiorowski accounted for the 87 hardest sliders thrown in MLB this season.#aaron_judge #yankees #brewers #jacob_misiorowski #statcast
White Sox Discover Unexpected Pitching Gem in Anthony Kay The Chicago White Sox have found an unexpected asset in their rotation as Anthony Kay continues to impress with his performance. Emerging as a surprise starter in April, Kay has provided the team with a reliable option capable of missing bats and holding leads—a rarity for a young pitcher in the early stages of the season. His standout performance on Thursday at Kaufmann Stadium, where he pitched 5.2 shutout innings in a 2-0 victory, has solidified his role as a key contributor. Kay allowed just three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts while throwing 100 pitches, pushing his early season line to 14 2/3 innings, a 2.45 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP, and 11 strikeouts. This outing has positioned him as a critical piece of the White Sox’s pitching strategy, especially as the team looks to build momentum in a competitive league. Kay’s effectiveness stems from his ability to command his fastball, which has been a standout element of his repertoire. Statcast data reveals that his four-seamer in 2026 averages 95.8 mph with 15.1 inches of induced vertical break and 7.2 inches of arm-side run. This combination of velocity and movement makes the pitch difficult to hit, particularly for hitters who struggle to adjust to its late movement. Kay himself acknowledged the impact of his fastball, noting that the increased velocity—averaging 96.3 mph with a top end of 98.4 mph—boosts his confidence. “Yeah, you have a little bit more confidence when it’s 97, 98, compared to 93, 94,” he admitted, highlighting how his fastball’s velocity has become a key factor in his success. Beyond his fastball, Kay’s ability to exploit his sweeper pitch has been instrumental in his performance. Baseball Savant data shows that his 2026 sweeper averages 82.9 mph with 13.#chicago_white_sox #statcast #anthony_kay #kaufmann_stadium #baseball_savant
Tommy Pham, Mets Agree to Minor League Deal The New York Mets have signed veteran outfielder Tommy Pham to a Minor League deal, adding experienced depth to their roster, according to a source shared with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The team has not officially confirmed the agreement. Pham’s contract with the Mets includes a $2.5 million guarantee if he reaches the Major Leagues, with potential additional incentives pushing the total to $3.1 million. The deal also features an opt-out clause set for April 25. Pham is expected to contribute as a reliable outfield option following the injury of Mike Tauchman, who tore his meniscus in his left knee during Spring Training. The 38-year-old outfielder previously spent 79 games with the Mets in 2023, posting an .820 OPS with 10 home runs before being traded to Arizona in July. Despite his age and recent performance, Pham remains a viable addition. In 2025, he hit .245/.330/.370 with 10 home runs for the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, advanced metrics suggest he may have been slightly unlucky. His expected batting average was 13 points higher, and his expected slugging percentage was 40 points higher than his actual output. Pham’s hard-hit rate of 47.2% ranked in the 76th percentile among qualified hitters, a significant improvement from his 42.7% rate in 2024. His plate discipline also showed progress, with a 19.9% chase rate in the top 5% of the game, a 20.9% strikeout rate (his lowest since 2019), and an 11.1% walk rate (81st percentile), his highest since 2021. Defensively, Pham’s range in the outfield was below average, with a -3 Outs Above Average rating from Statcast. However, he contributed +5 defensive runs saved in left field for Pittsburgh. Pham’s postseason experience adds value to his profile. In 37 career playoff games, he has a .315/.331/.#new_york_mets #tommy_pham #mlb_com #statcast #american_league_division_series
