Jacob Misiorowski keeps making a strong argument for the National League Cy Young award. The Milwaukee Brewers star turned in another impressive start on Sunday, fanning six hitters in the opening three frames and pushing his season total to 200 strikeouts.
The milestone came on his fifth punchout of the afternoon. Misiorowski became the first pitcher in 2026 to hit the 200-strikeout plateau, needing only 129⅓ innings to get there.
Jacob Misiorowski joins elite company
Misiorowski leaned heavily on his fastball from the start. He fired the pitch 29 times in his first 30 deliveries, with the right-hander consistently using his 102 mph velocity to overpower opposing batters.
That fifth strikeout of the game put Misiorowski at 200 for the year and added another notable line to his MLB resume. Only one pitcher in baseball history has reached the mark in fewer innings.
His 200th strikeout came on the final out of the 129⅓-inning mark, placing him second on the all-time list for the quickest 200-strikeout seasons.
Fastest 200-strikeout seasons in MLB history
Spencer Strider still holds the top spot. He reached 200 strikeouts in 123⅓ innings back in 2022, setting the standard that Misiorowski just missed.
The top five fastest pitchers to 200 strikeouts are as follows:
Spencer Strider, 2022 – 123⅓ IP
Jacob Misiorowski, 2026 – 129⅓ IP
Spencer Strider, 2023 – 130 IP
Randy Johnson, 2001 – 130⅔ IP
Gerrit Cole, 2019 – 133⅓ IP
Misiorowski’s spot among those names carries extra weight given what the others accomplished. Randy Johnson finished 2001 with 372 strikeouts, took home the National League Cy Young award with the Arizona Diamondbacks, and earned World Series MVP honors.
Strider also delivered a standout 2023 season, recording 281 strikeouts and breaking John Smoltz’s franchise single-season strikeout record.
NL Cy Young favorite keeps rolling
Misiorowski’s impact goes beyond his strikeout numbers. Coming into Sunday’s game, he led the majors with a 1.63 ERA and a 0.73 WHIP, adding to an already outstanding statistical resume.
Those figures had already made the Brewers right-hander a heavy favorite in the National League Cy Young race. His latest start only strengthened that case with another major milestone.
With 200 strikeouts already in the books, Misiorowski has become the first pitcher in 2026 to reach that total while also ranking second all-time in the fewest innings needed to do so.
