Heading into the season, the Milwaukee Brewers pitching staff was surrounded by question marks. However, nobody expected those questions also to include their closer. During the spring, All-Star closer Devin Williams sustained a back injury that would keep him out for at least the season’s first three months. The one sure thing the Brewers had in their pitching staff was now on the injured list. This meant that Milwaukee’s closer’s role was now unsettled. After trying different relievers at closing games, Trevor Megill eventually emerged and has been filling in nicely for Milwaukee this season.
Another Sneaky Trade By The Brewers
Embed from Getty ImagesIn 2023, Megill was acquired from the Twins in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He would appear in 31 games for the Brewers that season even making two starts. Megill would go 1-0 with an ERA of 3.63, 52 strikeouts, and a 1.356 WHIP. This was a great improvement from the 6.07 ERA he combined to have with both the Cubs and Twins. It was once again another sneaky pickup of a quality pitcher by the Brewers.
Devin Williams’s Injury Opened The Door
Embed from Getty ImagesAll-Star closer Devin Williams went down with a back injury in Spring Training. This was the last thing the Brewers needed given the state of their pitching staff. Corbin Burnes and Adrian Houser were traded, Brandon Woodruff would be out for the year, and Wade Miley and Colin Rea were the only arms returning from 2023. The Brewers lost the one sure thing in their bullpen to a long-term injury. Like the rest of the pitching staff, Milwaukee’s closer role was now unsettled as well.
Trevor Megill’s Emergence Has Been An Awesome Surprise
After using a combination of mostly Joel Payamps, Abner Uribe, Hoby Milner, and Trevor Megill in April, the team eventually handed over the ninth inning to Megill regularly. So far this season, the 30-year-old flamethrower has rewarded the Brewers’ trust. Megill is currently 0-1 with an ERA of 1.78, 17 saves, 30 strikeouts, and 0.987 WHIP. His 17 saves also currently tie him for fifth in the National League. The only players with more saves than Megill are Ryan Helsley, Kyle Finnegan, Raisel Iglesias, and Robert Suarez.
The Brewers Now Have A Great Problem When Williams Returns
Embed from Getty ImagesMegill’s success in 2024 also presents the Brewers with a good problem. Devin Williams is supposed to return later in July. While the two-time-all-star is the Brewers closer, it’ll be hard to move away from using the former Loyola Marymount Lion in the ninth. However, given how delicate back injuries are, Milwaukee probably won’t want to overuse Williams. I believe that Megill will still have opportunities to close out games. It’ll be nice for the Brewers to have two pitchers they can trust in save situations.
Trevor Megill Could Be The Brewers Closer Of The Future
Embed from Getty ImagesWith how successful Megill has been as a first-time closer, it presents long-term ramifications for Milwaukee as well. After this season, Devin Williams will only have a year of team control remaining. The two-time Reliever of the Year award winner will then be eligible for free agency. Given how the Brewers operate, this could very easily be his final season in the Cream City. Milwaukee has shown they have a system when it comes to finding their next closer. In recent years, we’ve seen them go from Corey Knebel to Josh Hader to Devin Williams. With how successful Megill has been this season, he would presumedly be next. The 30-year-old also has three years of team control remaining and won’t be a free agent until 2028.
Megill Has Been A Fun Part Of Milwaukee’s Surprising Season
Embed from Getty ImagesDespite Devin Williams being out, Trevor Megill has stepped up in a big way for the Brewers. His success as the closer is a big reason why they’re currently in first place in the NL Central. When Williams returns, Milwaukee will have two very good options to go in the ninth inning. Nobody saw Megill’s emergence coming. With Williams a free agent after next season, if the 30-year-old continues to have success, we may hear Metallica’s Four Horsemen in the ninth inning beyond this year.
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