In just four starts with the Mets, Nolan McLean has gone from a promising prospect to one of the most exciting names of the season. The 24-year-old right-hander has an undefeated 4-0 record with a 1.37 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched. This performance not only makes him the most effective starter on the team at the moment, but also makes him part of a very exclusive historic group.
Only one other pitcher has accomplished what McLean has done in his first few starts: Fernando Valenzuela, who in 1981 had one of the most memorable debuts in baseball history. Now Nolan joins a select list of pitchers who combined four wins, an ERA under 1.50 and more than 25 strikeouts to begin their careers as starters in the major leagues.
Nolan McLean makes history with the Mets and surpasses internal marks
Nolan McLean’s breakthrough has meant much more than victories, the young pitcher already signed the best start of a starter in the history of the Mets in terms of strikeouts, surpassing figures such as Dwight Gooden, Matt Harvey and Tylor Megil, who had achieved 26. McLean achieved 28 and has placed himself at the top of that list, earning the respect of the locker room and the confidence of the coaching staff.
In his last outing against the Tigers, Mclean showed character after a difficult first inning where he allowed two runs and walked two batters, but he settled down and retired 14 consecutive batters.
Who is Nolan McLean? The prospect who changed the pace of the New York Mets
Before his rise, McLean was considered the No. 5 prospect in the Mets system and today ranks third on that list and is No. 36 in MLB Pipeline’s overall ranking. His call-up to the majors came in the midst of an injury crisis in the rotation, but his impact has been immediate. Instead of filling a gap, he became one of the club’s most reliable arms in the midst of a playoff run.
Comparing a rookie to a figure like Fernando Valenzuela is risky, but the numbers support Nolan McLean’s impact. Although he is unlikely to win the Cy Young or Rookie of the Year as Valenzuela did in 1981, his start in the Major Leagues has been impressive and he is helping his team in the fight for the postseason.
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