Tylor Megill Continues To Struggle At The Major League Level

Tylor Megill lasted just three innings on Saturday before turning the ball over to the New York Mets’ bullpen as he couldn’t get it together once again. In those three innings, he struck out six, but those strikeouts were overshadowed by the six earned runs, five hits, three walks, and a home run he allowed. This result increased his season ERA to 4.81.

With yet another outing, the question of should Megill be replaced on the mound is being heightened. In seven starts, Megill has just one in which he lasted more than five innings (May 28 versus the Dodgers). Since that outing on May 28, Megill’s decline has continued rapidly. Through the month of June so far, Megill owns a 7.64 ERA. He has given up 17 hits and seven walks.

Overall, in 2024, Megill owns a 2-4 record with a 4.81 ERA. He is almost allowing a hit per innings pitched (32 hits across 33 2/3 innings), while once again owning an elevated walk rate (4.28 BB/9). Outside his first big-league season in 2021, Megill has posted an xERA of 4.12 or higher. Unfortunately, the overall sample of Megill’s career as a starter does not resemble one of a major-league level pitcher.

Megill spoke with the media after the game and said he struggled with falling behind in counts and getting hit off of regardless of the quality of his pitches. Megill added, “I need to get better. The team doesn’t deserve that, the bullpen crew doesn’t deserve that,” he said. “I feel horrible for allowing that situation (the bullpen having to take over after three innings) to happen.” His final thought on his outing, “not acceptable.”

The Mets have options to replace Megill on the mound, an avenue they should take given his inability to establish himself as a major-league caliber starter. They could turn to either Christian Scott or José Buttó.

Scott, so far this season, owns a 3.90 ERA over the course of five starts. His xERA of 3.44 and xBA of .235 both rank above the league’s 60th percentile and he has done a terrific job not walking the opposition (85th percentile BB%). Though a smaller sample (27 2/3 innings), he has been much more effective than Megill. In Triple-A, Scott has a 2.82 ERA across 38 1/3 innings.

Meanwhile, José Buttó owns a 3.08 ERA over seven starts. Unlike Scott, Buttó has had some walk issues (sixth percentile BB%) and owns an xERA below the league average. However, his total sample size is strong than what Megill has posted. Buttó has posted a 3.13 ERA and has held opposing batters to a .220 average across 37 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season.

Elsewhere, the Mets also have Kodai Senga still working on returning from injury. This would be another option, albeit not one that is readily available just yet, to replace Megill in the rotation.

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