Mets Call Up Nolan McLean, Their Top Pitching Prospect
This weekend, something special is happening at Citi Field — the Mets are giving their fans a first look at Nolan McLean, the organization’s top pitching prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 37 overall. The 24-year-old right-hander is set to make his big-league debut at home against the Mariners, and there’s a lot of buzz about what he might bring to the mound.
McLean’s rise through the minors this year has been nothing short of impressive. Between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, he’s posted a 2.45 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP, striking out 127 batters in just over 113 innings. Since moving up to Triple-A in May, his ERA has held strong at 2.78, and his strikeout rate ranks among the top arms in the International League. Since July alone, no pitcher in the minors has more strikeouts — he’s piled up 52 in just seven outings, striking out at least six each time.
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Originally drafted in 2023 out of Oklahoma State as a two-way player, McLean earned the nickname “Cowboy Ohtani” for his ability to both hit and pitch. But after giving up hitting last summer — a decision that came after striking out in more than half of his at-bats — he’s focused entirely on pitching, and the results speak for themselves.
McLean’s best weapon is a sweeping slider that moves an average of over 15 inches and spins at nearly 2,900 rpm — movement and spin rates matched by only a few major leaguers. He mixes that pitch with a mid-90s sinker and a four-seam fastball, creating a nasty horizontal spread that’s particularly tough on right-handed hitters. The numbers show it: righties have managed just a .153 average against him this year.
He’s not just about heat and sweep, though. McLean adds a cutter, a high-spin curveball, and an occasional changeup to keep hitters guessing. The curve, in particular, has been a swing-and-miss pitch against lefties, though left-handed batters have had more success overall. That’s something he’ll need to navigate carefully in the majors, especially with Seattle likely stacking its lineup with lefty bats and switch-hitters.
For the Mets, this call-up comes at a critical time. The team has been slipping behind the Phillies in the NL East, and adding their best pitching prospect could be the jolt they need. While McLean will face the usual rookie challenges — patient hitters, deeper scouting, and the pressure of New York — his unique arsenal and feel for spin could give the Mets a fresh edge.
Whether or not “Cowboy Ohtani” sticks as a nickname, one thing’s certain: Nolan McLean’s debut marks the start of an intriguing new chapter for the Mets, and fans will be watching closely to see if this young arm can help steady the team’s season.
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