By Sunday 
Can Megill Finally Put It All Together?
For years, Tylor Megill has been a name that lingers in discussions about the New York Mets’ pitching rotation. Whether as a promising young arm, a depth option, or an enigma struggling to reach his full potential, he remains an ever-present figure. As the Mets navigate another season filled with uncertainty, Megill once again finds himself in the mix. But this time, could it finally be his breakout year?
A Fixture in a Shifting Rotation
The Mets’ starting rotation has been anything but stable in recent seasons. Injuries, trades, and inconsistency have turned it into a revolving door. Amid the chaos, two pitchers have remained: David Peterson and Tylor Megill. While neither has cemented themselves as top-tier starters, they have consistently provided the Mets with much-needed depth.
Megill, in particular, has been an intriguing case. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he has struggled with consistency. Some within the organization—and even outside analysts—still believe he has the tools to be a legitimate force on the mound. His late-season surge in 2024, where he posted a stellar 2.32 ERA over his final six starts, offers hope that he may finally be putting the pieces together.
The Strengths That Keep Megill in the Conversation
It’s easy to see why the Mets remain invested in Megill. His raw numbers indicate a pitcher with genuine upside. Last season, he struck out batters at a career-best rate of 10.5 K/9 (27% strikeout rate), demonstrating an ability to dominate when he’s on his game.
A closer look at his pitch arsenal reveals even more potential. His fastball velocity ticked up to an average of 95.7 mph in 2024, while his whiff percentage on the pitch climbed to 29.3%. That kind of power fastball, paired with the right secondary pitches, could make him a dangerous weapon.
The Command and Stamina Struggles
Of course, the problem with Megill has never been his raw ability—it’s been his ability to sustain it. The biggest knock against him is his struggle to maintain effectiveness deep into games. Like many pitchers, he sees a drop in performance the third time through the order, but for Megill, it has been a particularly glaring weakness.
His command issues have also held him back. While his strikeout numbers have improved, he still has bouts of inconsistency where he struggles to locate his pitches effectively. If he can refine his control and find a way to pitch deeper into games, he could finally take that next step.
A Constantly Evolving Arsenal
One of the most fascinating aspects of Megill’s development has been his willingness to tinker with his pitch selection. In 2024, he threw an astounding eight different pitches, experimenting with different grips and approaches in search of the perfect mix.
His four-seamer remained his primary weapon, but he dramatically reduced its usage, relying on it just 46.7% of the time—down from the mid-50s in previous seasons. Meanwhile, he almost abandoned his changeup, throwing it a mere 1.5% of the time. Instead, he increased his reliance on a cutter (14.3%) and a sinker (9.9%), the latter of which played a key role in his late-season success.
Perhaps most intriguing was his introduction of a split-finger fastball, dubbed the “American Spork.” Though he only threw it 7.5% of the time, it generated an eye-popping 42.9% whiff rate. If Megill can harness this pitch as a legitimate out-pitch, it could become a game-changer for him.
Will the Mets’ Development Magic Unlock Megill’s Potential?
The Mets have made strides in their pitching development, and Megill could be one of the biggest beneficiaries. If they can help him refine his pitch mix—perhaps by increasing his sinker usage or leaning more on his splitter—he might finally make the leap.
However, skepticism remains warranted. After years of waiting for a breakout that has yet to come, it’s fair to wonder if Megill is simply what he’s always been: a solid depth option, but not a true rotation anchor.
Still, every team needs reliable arms to eat innings, and Megill has proven he can be that at minimum. Given the injuries the Mets have already faced in their rotation this spring, his ability to step in and provide steady innings could be invaluable.
The Verdict: Boom or More of the Same?
Megill’s story isn’t over yet. With his evolving arsenal, improved velocity, and flashes of brilliance, the possibility of a breakout remains tantalizingly close. But as Mets fans know all too well, potential doesn’t always translate to results.
Maybe this is the year Megill finally figures it all out. Or maybe, like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football, it’ll be another season of near-misses and unfulfilled promise. Either way, his journey will be one of the most compelling narratives in the Mets’ rotation.