The New York Mets made a heavy investment in the winter preseason to dominate the regular season and be a World Series contender. However, five weeks before the end of the season, the Queens team has sown more doubts than illusions among its fans. A few days before September, a new light has appeared that has given hope to the New York team.
It would be difficult to design a better career start for New York Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean, who has posted enviable numbers in his first two Major League outings. He has excelled as the only pitcher in MLB history to have a 2-0 record, an ERA under 1.50, an opponent batting average under .150, 15 or more strikeouts and less than five walks in his first two career appearances since 1913, when ERA became official in both leagues.
McLean’s numbers give New York Mets hope
At 24 years old, Nolan McLean threw 5.1 scoreless innings against the Seattle Mariners in his debut on August 16, allowing two hits, eight strikeouts and four walks on 91 pitches. He became the first Mets starter, not named David Peterson, to pitch at least six innings since early June, limiting the Atlanta Braves to two runs, four hits and seven strikeouts in seven innings in his second start.
The right-hander has averaged 3295 RPM on his curveball in two games, the highest average spin rate among all Major League starters this season. His sweeper averages 2965 RPM, which ranks among the top three for that pitch. He rounds out his arsenal with a 96 mph fastball, a 95 mph sinker, a 91 mph cutter and an 86 mph changeup.
What can we expect from McLean for the rest of the season?
McLean dominated Double-A and Triple-A hitters before joining the Mets’ rotation. Between the two levels, he posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 21 minor league appearances (18 starts) in 2025, to earn him the third overall prospect spot. With Frankie Montas out for the season with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, the door is open for other high-ranking pitching prospects from the Mets to get opportunities in the majors.
After posting a 2.05 ERA in his last nine starts at Triple-A, the Mets’ No. 5 prospect Brandon Sproat came out of the bullpen for the first time this season on Sunday, possibly anticipating New York’s plans. The right-hander allowed seven runs (five earned), seven hits and two walks, striking out four in 3.2 innings, behind starter Austin Warren, who allowed four runs in the first inning. Who will be able to level the pitching to take the Mets to the playoffs?
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