Tylor Megill Continues To Struggle Despite Rotation Spot Opening

Tylor Megill was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after his start against the Houston Astros on July 29. Just 28 days later, he returned to the big leagues. With Christian Scott and Kodai Senga out for the foreseeable future, Saturday’s start against at the Atlanta Braves was a massive opportunity for Megill. A strong performance from the right-handed starter could have changed the club’s plan ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Anything less than that would continue to beg the question. Are the New York Mets going to trade for another starter?

Megill was efficient and dominant the first time through the order. He made quick work of the Braves, striking out three of the four hitters en route to three perfect innings. But things quickly changed the second time through the order. After getting the first two outs in the fourth, Marcell Ozuna hit a home run to left-center field. Four pitches later, Matt Olson also hit a home run to left-center field. Megill looked great early on, but within a matter of minutes, the Mets trailed 2-0.

The Braves added a third in the top of the fifth, thanks to an RBI single from Orlando Arcia. Megill was able to pitch into the seventh inning thanks to his low pitch count. Eddie Rosario, who nearly hit a home run down the right field line earlier in the game, was not going to miss one again. He went down to get a 85 mph slider at the bottom of the zone, hitting it over the right field wall. Megill’s day finished on a sour note. Six innings, four runs allowed on five hits, three of which were home runs.

“I wouldn’t say it was terrible. Obviously three solo shots. One to Ozuna, bad pitch. And then just tip your cap to Rosario and Olson. Besides that, I filled up the zone. Attacking hitters, had a couple walks but was able to stop the damage to get into the seventh,” Megill said after his performance.

There was some good and bad to his start on Saturday. Megill has a 5.46 ERA in the first inning for his career, yet he able to complete that inning with ease. He was also throw six-plus innings, something he had not done since late May. On the other hand, his home run issues appear to still exist. Megill has now allowed five home runs over his last three big league starts. It is always going to be difficult to win if he can’t solve that.

The bottom-line, as a starter, Megill has not been good enough throughout his career. His career big-league ERA is encroaching on 5.00 at 4.79. Meanwhile, his FIP is 4.58. This season, in 2024, he owns a 5.20 ERA and 4.38 xERA. A replacement in the rotation, if New York wants to contend this season, would be very wise.

Adrian Houser was used as a long man in the bullpen, but he was designated for assignment earlier this week. Megill has strong stuff (107 Stuff+), but as the game goes on, hitters seem to have more success against him. An argument can be made that he could be more impactful in a bullpen role where he would only be facing hitters once. Megill had nine relief appearances in 2022. But for now, he is expected to make his next start, on the road against the Los Angeles Angels.

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