The New York Mets are poised to call up highly touted pitching prospect Nolan McLean for his MLB debut this Saturday. The move comes as the struggling veteran Frankie Montas is transitioned to the bullpe. This signals the organizations is turning to youth to stabilize a shaky rotation.
Rookie debut aligned with service time strategy
Nolan McLean, the Mets’ No.3 prospect and 37th-best prospect in all of baseball, is scheduled to debut this Saturday at Citi Field against the Mariners. The timing is strategic: by waiting until Saturday, the club ensures McLean won’t accumulate enough MLB service time to forfeit his rookie eligibility in 2026, preserving the possibility of earning an extra draft pick through MLB’s Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) program.
McLean, 24, ascended rapidly through the minors in 2025, combining Double-A and Triple-A performance to post a 2.45 ERA while striking out 27.2% of opponents across 113 2/3 innings. This season alone, he’s dominates at Triple-A Syracuse with a 2.78 ERA over 16 outings. The call-up gives the Mets a cost-controlled asset who can contribute for years to come.
Pitching arsenal bolsters rotation depth
McLean enters the rotation with a diverse and lethal six-pitch repertoire, headlined by an elite mid-80s sweeper boasting over 15 inches of glove-side movement and a 30% whiff rate, spin metrics that rival MLB’s best. That, paired with his sinker, four-seamer, cutter, changeup, and curveball, creates a dangerous mix.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and reliever Paul Blackburn praised McLean’s composure and maturity on the mound, citing his ability to handle pressure and decisions with poise. With the major league rotation struggling to go deep into games -no starter other than David Peterson has completed six innings since mid-June- McLean’s arrival offers a potential jolt of energy and length down the stretch.
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