Ranking the 3 realistic starting rotation replacements for Tylor Megill

Tylor Megill was placed on the 15-day IL after his season debut and the New York Mets have replaced him on the roster with reliever Reed Garrett. Expected to be a short stint for Garrett in the majors until the Mets need another starter, they’ll have the option of turning to their current minor league depth or possibly even reaching outward from the organization for help.

Who should be the one to make the start on Saturday when Megill would have? Let’s rank the options who all, conveniently, have a first name beginning with the letter J.

3) Joey Lucchesi

Joey Lucchesi has made one start for the Syracuse Mets this year which doesn’t tell us much about what he’ll be able to accomplish in 2024. Knocked around in one spring start, Lucchesi is one of the bigger remaining mysteries within the organization.

In 9 starts for the 2023 Mets, Lucchesi had an excellent 2.89 ERA but only a so-so 4.22 FIP largely as a result of a strikeout ratio of only 6.2 per 9. His 1.30 WHIP didn’t help his case much either. The run prevention was superb yet maybe a little unrealistic.

Lucchesi was good in his Triple-A debut, lasting 5 innings and only giving up one unearned run. An underwhelming 4.42 ERA in the minors last year in 89.2 innings of work, he’s a strong consideration but third on this list of options.

Fortunately for him, even if he doesn’t end up as the first choice of the Mets, the team is bound to pick at least two players to make a start in the next two weeks with 13 straight games beginning on Friday. Will he be one of the choices? This teammate of his is a better option.