For New York Mets rising star Nolan McLean, being selected for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic is a milestone that speaks volumes.
Last season, McLean burst onto the scene with eight impressive starts for the Mets. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, boasting a 2.06 ERA and striking out 57 batters over 48 innings. His lethal combination of a bowling ball sinker and a hammer curveball has already made waves on social media, capturing the attention of baseball fans everywhere.
At just 24, McLean's inclusion on Team USA's pitching staff is a testament to his talent, even if he’s not quite ready to start over established names like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, and Logan Webb. On Thursday, McLean addressed his anticipated role with the team.
While specifics remain a bit murky, he’s embracing the opportunity to contribute in any capacity. According to Joe Pantorno of amNY, McLean is expected to pitch at least twice in a "piggyback role," stepping in for other starters to handle multiple innings.
“I don’t have a ton of expectations on what I’m going to go out there and do, but I’m just super excited to go do it,” McLean shared, as reported by Pantorno.
This year promises to be full of new experiences for McLean. He started last season in Double-A and ended with a career-high 161 2/3 innings pitched across the minors and majors. As he prepares for the high-stakes games in March, McLean is also eyeing a strong finish come October.
With McLean’s exceptional skills, there’s every reason to believe he’ll rise to any occasion.