At the moment, the New York Mets’ starting rotation is something of a question mark. With Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas currently sidelined, the team is working through its remaining options to solidify the five starters for Opening Day.
Kodai Senga, David Peterson, and Clay Holmes are considered rotation locks, which leaves two spots still open.
The Mets have a handful of contenders for those remaining roles. Paul Blackburn, Griffin Canning, and Tylor Megill are the leading candidates, while promising young pitchers Brandon Sproat and Blade Tidwell are also in the mix as potential reinforcements.
The Case for Tylor Megill
If roster logistics weren’t in play, Tylor Megill would be an easy choice for one of the two remaining spots in the Mets’ rotation. He’s been outstanding so far this spring, tossing 6.2 innings while allowing just four hits and one run, and racking up seven strikeouts. Perhaps most impressive is the life on his fastball, which has been electric, topping out at 98 mph.
That’s a significant jump from last season, when Megill averaged 95.7 mph on his fastball while posting a 4.04 ERA over 78 innings.
Tylor Megill is making a strong case to be included in the Mets' Opening Day rotation, despite the fact that he has a minor league option remaining.
Megill this spring: 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 K. He's been up to 98 mph.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) March 11, 2025
It’s like trading in a reliable family sedan for a turbocharged sports car—this uptick in velocity could elevate his game in a big way. If Megill can maintain that upper-90s heater once the regular season begins, his potential ceiling rises considerably.
The Roster Crunch
Here’s where things get complicated. Paul Blackburn and Griffin Canning are out of minor league options, meaning they’d have to clear waivers before being sent down—a risky move the Mets might not want to take. The simplest solution would be to give them rotation spots and stash Tylor Megill in Triple-A, keeping him stretched out and ready as depth.
But is that really the best baseball move? If the Mets are making decisions based on performance and who’s throwing the best stuff right now, Megill has clearly earned a spot in the rotation.
Between his strong spring showing, increased velocity, and higher ceiling, Megill looks like the kind of pitcher you want taking the mound every fifth day. The Mets now face a tough choice: play it safe with roster mechanics or go with the guy who’s showing he belongs.
