Could Nolan McLean Be the Mets’ Secret Weapon for 2026?
While Mets fans are refreshing their feeds for starting pitcher updates and bracing for another bidding war, the answer to New York’s rotation questions might already be sitting in their own dugout. Nolan McLean, a 24-year-old right-hander with a cannon for an arm and the numbers to back it up, quietly put together a season that should have the front office-and the rest of the league-paying close attention.
Let’s start with one stat that jumps off the page: 84.1%. That’s the percentage of baserunners McLean stranded last season.
That’s not just good-it’s elite. That’s the kind of number you usually see next to the names of established aces, not rookies with fewer than 50 innings under their belt.
It’s the type of performance that makes you wonder if the Mets really need to go all-in on the trade market, especially when the internal option might already be flashing ace-level stuff.
A Small Sample, But Big-Time Impact
McLean’s 2025 campaign wasn’t lengthy-just 40 innings-but what he did with that time was loud. A 2.06 ERA, a 10.69 K/9, and a 61.1% ground ball rate?
That’s a dream combo for any pitching coach. Strikeouts and ground balls are the one-two punch of modern pitching dominance.
When a guy can miss bats and keep the ball out of the air, he’s not just surviving-he’s controlling the game.
And McLean didn’t just get by with raw velocity or one wipeout pitch. He brought a full arsenal to the mound.
The Arsenal: Built for Whiffs and Weak Contact
McLean’s pitch mix is already giving hitters fits. His sinker was a nightmare for opponents, holding them to a .193 batting average.
His curveball? Even nastier-hitters managed just a .074 average against it.
Those are numbers that don’t just suggest potential; they demand attention.
But like any young arm, there’s still some refining to be done. His sweeper got hit around a bit, with opponents batting .361 against it.
That’s an area to watch heading into spring training. He’ll also want to tighten up his command and limit the hard contact-his 43.4% hard-hit rate is higher than you’d like to see.
Still, the foundation is there. He’s already above average in whiff rate, and if he can generate more chase swings, he’ll be even tougher to square up.
The Bigger Picture: A Rotation Built Around McLean?
The Mets are expected to be active this offseason, especially with Dylan Cease off the board and other arms like Michael King, MacKenzie Gore, and Edward Cabrera floating around in trade rumors. But here’s the thing: why gut the farm system for a mid-rotation arm when you might already have a frontline guy in-house?
McLean’s emergence opens the door for a more balanced approach. Instead of chasing big names, the Mets can focus on adding one reliable veteran to complement McLean and let the rest of the rotation settle in behind them. It’s a strategy that could pay off big-especially when you consider how the bullpen is shaping up.
The “Super Bullpen” Strategy Is Real
The Mets made a statement by signing Devin Williams and are still in talks with Edwin Díaz. That’s not just bullpen depth-that’s firepower. If McLean can give them five or six strong innings every fifth day, and the bullpen can lock down the rest, suddenly the Mets don’t need to overextend for a top-tier starter this winter.
This is a team building a modern pitching staff: power arms up front, elite relievers in the back, and a flexible plan that doesn’t rely on one or two guys carrying the load. If McLean continues to develop-and all signs suggest he’s on that path-he could be the key to unlocking it all.
Let the Kids Play
The Mets have been here before-big expectations, big spending, and big questions about whether it will all come together. But sometimes, the best answers aren’t found in free agency or blockbuster trades. Sometimes, they’re already in your system, just waiting for a shot.
Nolan McLean might not be the name fans are tweeting about right now, but if his 2025 performance is any indication, he could be the name they’re chanting by midseason 2026. The Mets don’t just need an ace-they might already have one.