If you want to understand the “next man up” bullpen mindset documented in each edition of the Brewers’ docuseries, “The Firemen” (the most recent of which can be watched here), see 6-foot-8 right-hander Trevor Megill on Tuesday night at Kauffman Stadium.
This was the ninth inning. The Brewers were down two runs and down to their final strike when Megill calmly stood on a mound in the left-field bullpen. When William Contreras doubled, Milwaukee suddenly had the tying run on base. When Gary Sánchez walked, the Brewers had a legitimate chance.
Nonetheless, Megill worked informally. A reliever with a 100 mph fastball doesn’t get hot unless absolutely necessary, thus every other pitch required around 50% effort. He took his time between pitches, while bullpen catcher Adam Weisenburger crouched 60 feet and six inches away.
You probably witnessed what happened next. Willy Adames launched a go-ahead three-run homer that landed directly in Megill’s glove as he stood there like a tall statue, leaving a black leather scuff on the ball. The way Megill tossed it away — to be collected by reliever Kevin Herget, who gave it to bullpen coach Charlie Greene, who gave it to equipment manager Jason Shawger to be kept for posterity — you’d think nothing had happened.
“But I’ll tell you, it completely changes a man’s demeanor, and the look in his eyes,” Weisenburger continued. “If you watch the clip, you’ll notice he catches it and gives me a look. At that point, he was completely different. “It was Trevor Megill; closer time.”
That is the job. Adapt to the moment.
“It was like, ‘Okay, cool. “Time to go do it,” Megill added.
It’s the same type of mental adjustment that relievers have mentioned in the Brewers’ documentary. The most current edition focuses on All-Star closer and reigning NL Reliever of the Year Devin Williams’s Spring Training back ailment, which will keep him out until the All-Star Break.
Megill is one of the arms asked to backfill that spot, with Joel Payamps and Abner Uribe among the others who have garnered multiple save opportunities.
