ATLANTA – Nick Mears’ workload hasn’t been particularly heavy so far.
But the new addition to the Milwaukee Brewers bullpen is ready to pitch whenever he is called upon, and the right-hander is excited to pitch for a successful organization for the first time in his career after being traded from the Colorado Rockies on July 27.
Mears, 27, entered the week with a 5.51 earned run average (ERA) and a 1.47 WHIP. He made a career-high 44 appearances with the Rockies and Brewers and recorded 62 strikeouts in 49 innings.
A fun footnote: Milwaukee’s signing of Mears — minor league pitchers Bradley Blalock and Yujanyer Herrera were sent to Colorado — was the first transfer between the franchises since Dec. 13, 2004.
As part of that deal, the Rockies sent right-hander Marcos Carvajal to the Brewers for cash. However, Carvajal never pitched in the major leagues for Milwaukee.
During a little downtime before the Brewers’ series opener against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, Mears took a few minutes to answer some questions from sportswriter Todd Rosiak.
How happy are you to no longer have to call Coors Field your home stadium?
Mears: It’s very nice when you have consistent movement on your throws. Just knowing that the line of sight is the line of sight and it doesn’t change like when you go from altitude to sea level. I think it’s a little easier to adjust when you’re on the road than it is at home. It’s kind of a different plan of attack because stuff doesn’t move as much. It’s harder to get a strike-to-ball chase at Coors. I would say you definitely have to attack a little bit more at Coors instead of trying to chase batters.
How much can pitching at Coors mess with a pitcher’s psyche?
Mears: It can be pretty messed up just knowing you’re going up against guys that aren’t that good. But I mean, it’s the same game. You still have the same job when you’re on the mound. So it’s just a matter of throwing guys out and hopefully getting three outs before they score.
When you joined the Brewers, you were traded for the first time in your career. What was that experience like?
Mears: I knew I was pitching well before the trade deadline, but I didn’t expect it just because I was in control (he’s not a free agent until 2028). And speaking of control, it was out of my control. I had nothing to do with it. I just showed up at the stadium every day ready to compete and then got called into the manager’s office and was told the good news. I’ve only played on teams with losing records in my professional career in the big leagues, so right now I’m just trying to soak it all up and see what it’s like to be in a winning locker room. Let’s see what I can contribute.
How much of a boost does it give you mentally to go from a team that is 25 games behind the Rockies to the team that leads the Central Division?
Mears: It definitely invigorates you a little bit because you’re not throwing for yourself or the numbers. I mean, you always do that, but it’s harder in these situations when you’re losing. Whereas here, every time I’ve been in a game, it’s been close or I’ve won or I’ve been within two. So I’m in it to win. We’re in it to do that. It’s a great feeling. But you’re out there to do your job. In a perfect world, to get three outs before they score a run.
You broke into the Major Leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2020, at a time when the Brewers were overrunning them. Did that bother you or any of your teammates?
Mears: I don’t really know. Because my mindset is, “I don’t care who’s in the box.” Like, “Whoever’s in the box is in my way. If you’re in the box, good luck.” We would do our scouting reports based on who’s in the box, but at the end of the day, it’s me against you. You worry about the little things and then the big things usually fall into place. So if I’m worried about who’s in the box, how am I supposed to focus on making that shot or executing that shot, getting that guy out? I think some people don’t see it that way, but that’s just kind of how I see it.
Your career is interesting in that you belong to the small percentage of players who made it to the major leagues despite not being drafted. What was your path like?
Mears: Actually, I went to a junior college (Sacramento City College) for four years, and my freshman year I had Tommy John, so I didn’t play. My sophomore year, I thought it would be a good idea to go dirt biking two days before our first team practice, and I broke my collarbone in half. I have a plate and seven screws in there. Then I played my third year and did pretty well. Walked a couple guys. Then I went to the Northwoods League in Minnesota and pitched pretty well. Came back for my fourth year, had a couple free agent offers, turned them down, and then had a good fall my fourth year at JUCO. And then life got in the way, man. I lost one of my good teammates from the year before. I lost my uncle. I lost my grandpa and then one of my grandpa figures within about three months. And at the time, I would just say I wasn’t mature enough to handle all of that. I can’t tell you how much respect I have and how grateful I am for my coaches in Sac City and my parents, because they basically called me into an intervention without my knowledge. They said, ‘Hey, we see how this is bothering you. We think you should get out of baseball. Although it would benefit the team a lot if you were here, we just don’t think it’s in your best interest as a person.’ Because everybody who plays this game is a human being first and foremost, and baseball is just a byproduct. So they said, ‘Hey, take some time off. Figure out who you are, and if you still want to play baseball, come back.’
A couple months go by and I know I have the talent. As I looked around the room, I realized I still wanted to play. So I talked to the coaches. Luckily, the coach from (Minnesota) the year before contacted me and asked if I wanted to play. I said yes, went there on a temporary contract and then made good progress. A full-season spot opened up, I re-signed and then just kept playing well. Then it was the last game of the season in the postseason. Our starter, Louie Varland, went three (innings). I had only managed one or more at that point and ended up managing three innings, nine strikeouts and a walk. Then I flew back to California two days later, made a couple of phone calls and then had to make a decision. I think it was like six or seven teams, but I saw the biggest opportunity with the Pirates. I signed with them and made my debut 20 days less than two years after signing. So I rose up pretty quickly.
It’s an incredible journey. Do you ever sit back and think about how far you’ve come?
Mears: Some days, yes. It just depends on the day because at this level you have to prove it every day. You can’t be complacent, but you have to be humble. About once a week before the game when I get dressed, before I put my jersey on, I just look at my number and my name on the back of the jersey and I’m kind of grateful for everything.
Do you feel more comfortable in your new surroundings now?
Mears: I think I’ve settled in. I mean, step 1 was memorizing everyone’s names, so I think I’ve got that down now. So, yeah. The guys here are great, so I’m just happy to be able to keep up.
