Nolan McLean | |
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![]() McLean with the Mets in 2024 during spring training | |
New York Mets – No. 26 | |
Pitcher | |
Born: Willow Spring, North Carolina, U.S. | July 24, 2001|
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
MLB debut | |
August 16, 2025, for the New York Mets | |
MLB statistics (through August 27,2025) | |
Win–loss record | 3–0 |
Earned run average | 0.89 |
Strikeouts | 21 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
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Nolan James McLean (born July 24,2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.
McLean grew up in Willow Spring,North Carolina,and attended Garner Magnet High School. [1] McLean committed to play both baseball and football at Oklahoma State University. [2]
McLean batted .263 with eight home runs and 20 RBI,and had an 0–1 record with a 18.00 ERA in two relief appearances as a pitcher,while playing for the Cowboys during his freshman season. [3] He redshirted his freshman season on the football team before giving up the sport to focus solely on baseball. [4] In 2021,he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. [5] As a sophomore,McLean batted .285 with 19 home runs,and struck out 39 batters in 25+1⁄3 innings pitched. [6]
The Baltimore Orioles selected McLean in the third round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft. [7] The Orioles drafted him as a pitcher. [8] McLean ultimately did not sign with the team, instead returning to Oklahoma State for his junior season. [9] He hit .250 with nine home runs and 29 RBI, and went 1–2 with six saves and a 3.30 ERA in 14 pitching appearances, during his junior season. [10]
The New York Mets selected McLean as a two-way player in the third round with the 91st pick of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft. [11] He signed with the Mets, on July 15, 2023, for the full slot value of $747,600. [12] He later transitioned into being a full time pitcher.
On August 13, 2025, the Mets promoted McLean to the major leagues for the first time. [13] On August 16, 2025, he made his first career start against the Seattle Mariners. He went 5+1⁄3 innings, giving up no runs, and striking out 8 in a 3–1 victory, earning his first career win. [14] Six days later in Atlanta, McLean earned his second win in as many starts, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Braves. [15] McLean was even better in his third start, throwing eight shutout innings in a 6-0 victory to close out a sweep at Citi Field of the first place Philadelphia Phillies, and lowering his ERA to 0.89 and his WHIP to 0.69, to go along with his 3-0 record. [16] He is the first Mets pitcher to earn a win in his first three career starts. [17]