This Royals reliever has strong pitching metrics. Can it lead to breakout year?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals traded Zerpa, got OF Isaac Collins and also acquired reliever Nick Mears.
- Mears posted a 33.5% chase rate, 2.1 BB/9 and 95.4 mph heater.
- Mears may be used in multiple roles, from middle relief to high-leverage spots.
Kansas City Royals general manager J.J. Picollo had to make a difficult choice. Earlier this offseason, he admitted that it was tough to part with relief pitcher Angel Zerpa.
Zerpa was developed by the Royals. He became a top bridge reliever and could pitch in high-leverage situations. But KC had a pressing need for offense and Picollo traded Zerpa to the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Royals acquired multiple players in return. Outfielder Isaac Collins was the incoming centerpiece in the exchange and is expected to be the Royals’ starting left fielder this season.
But there was another name in the mix: Nick Mears.
“We were in the market for an outfield bat, and you know, through our process we started having conversations with Milwaukee,” Picollo said at the time of the trade. “And immediately, it centered around Zerpa, and we still felt like we need to take care of our bullpen. So there was some reluctance at first, but the more we thought about it, and once another name jumped into the situation like Mears, you know, we felt like it was something worth discussing.”
Mears, 29, came into his own in 2025. He posted a 3.49 ERA in 56 2/3 innings and was a mainstay in the Brewers’ bullpen.
The Royals were interested in him for quite some time. The organization’s scouts raved about his pitching arsenal and overall makeup. There was also an on-field confidence that appealed to the Royals’ evaluators.
“We traded for him and he worked hard in the offseason,” Royals bullpen coach Mitch Stetter said. “He added a couple of pitches to his arsenal. And I think, when he puts it all together this year, he’s going to be a big part of it.”
Mears is expected to fit well within the Royals’ bullpen. He has veteran experience and can pitch in a variety of roles. In Milwaukee he was used as a fireman reliever — similar to what Lucas Erceg does for the Royals now — in high-leverage spots.
It’s possible the Royals, too, will deploy him in this role. Mears will be in the mix alongside John Schreiber, Daniel Lynch IV and Alex Lange to pitch in middle relief. Erceg, Matt Strahm and closer Carlos Estévez will be expected to handle the late innings.
“You may see me in the fifth (inning), you may see me in the eighth, or you may see me in the ninth,” Mears said. “It’s just kind of whatever the team needs. But I’m going to come out, attack hitters from the start and hopefully get them out.”
Mears has great analytical numbers. Per Statcast, he recorded a 33.5% chase rate — ranking in the 93rd percentile among qualified major-league pitchers. He also demonstrated good command, with just 2.1 walks allowed per nine innings.
Mears is effective with his fastball and slider. The heater averaged 95.4 mph while the slider— which registered a 38.4% whiff rate last year — is his put-away pitch.
“It’s just to be another reliable guy down there,” Mears said of his mindset with the Royals. “It’s something I strive to be. When my name is called, it’s going to be consistent and reliable.”
This spring, Mears has appeared in four games. He’s allowed four earned runs with three strikeouts and two walks.
The Royals are excited to see Mears in regular-season action. His experience will be useful in their pursuit of a postseason berth.
“The more experience you have down there, the more opportunity for success,” Erceg said.
Mears is ready to leave his mark.
“I’m excited,” he said. “Obviously, they have a lot of good guys over here just as people. And then, you add the athletic ability and young team — it’s going to be very exciting to see this season.”
