Mets rookie Nolan McLean ready to make a second big-league start in the Mets–Braves showdown
WASHINGTON — Nolan McLean is embracing a whirlwind week as he prepares for his second major league start, this time in the high-profile Mets–Braves rivalry at Truist Park. The 24-year-old right-hander from North Carolina grew up cheering for Atlanta, with Chipper Jones among his childhood heroes, while also admiring players from the Orioles and Nationals.
McLean’s family and fiancée will be in attendance in Atlanta, a six-hour drive from where he was raised, marking a personal milestone as he steps onto the mound against the Braves rather than simply taking a seat in the stands.
This visit follows a week that began with a road trip in Rochester and a life-changing call from Triple-A Syracuse pitching coach A.J. Sager: you’re headed to the majors, and you’ll debut next Saturday. He then delivered an impressive performance in his big-league debut, tossing 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Mariners at Citi Field, allowing two hits, while issuing four walks and striking out eight.
After the debut, McLean spent a day at the Little League Classic in Williamsport before traveling to Washington for a game with the Nationals, and then heading south to Atlanta for this next chapter in what has become a whirlwind season. He admits he didn’t pack with the kind of preparation he imagined, joking that he’s been washing clothes at the field as he adapts to a rapidly changing schedule.
The Mets are in the thick of a playoff chase, and McLean enters a rotation still adjusting after back-to-back rough starts from Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea. The young pitcher has heard from hundreds of friends and family since his debut and says he’s done his best to respond to everyone while staying focused on the task at hand.
“I’m trying to treat every start the same, just go out there and compete,” McLean said. “It’s going to be a cool environment, I’m sure. So go out there and do the best I can.”
What to watch for in McLean’s second start
– Command and balance: how well he pits his pitches and commands the zone against a dangerous Braves lineup.
– Mental approach: his ability to stay composed in one of baseball’s most charged atmospheres, near his hometown team’s ballpark.
– Team context: how the Mets manage the rotation and bullpen with the playoff push in mind.
Additional value and context
– McLean’s rapid rise from a Syracuse call-up to a major league debut in New York and a Little League Classic appearance underscores the depth of the Mets’ farm system and their willingness to accelerate opportunities for promising arms.
– The Mets’ broader challenge remains maintaining consistency in the rotation as they chase a postseason berth, making McLean’s development and performance even more pivotal.
Summary
Nolan McLean’s meteoric ascent—debuting successfully against Seattle, then quickly shifting to the lure and pressure of a Mets–Braves clash at Truist Park—illustrates both the excitement around young talent and the pressures of a playoff race. If he can translate his debut form and keep his emotions in check, he could become a meaningful piece for a Mets rotation in flux.
Positive angle
This season’s journey for McLean highlights a hopeful arc: a local hero turned big-leaguer who has already delivered in his first start and is stepping into one of baseball’s most storied rivalries with a real chance to contribute to a postseason push.
Note: No negative sentiment detected.