The New York Mets are turning to their top pitching prospect to help steady a struggling rotation. Nolan McLean, the club’s No. 3 prospect and one of its premier young arms, is slated to make his major-league debut Saturday in the 4:10 p.m. ET game against the Seattle Mariners at Citi Field. He will be stepping into a spot created after the Mets moved Frankie Montas to the bullpen following a rough return from a lat strain, marking a significant milestone for a pitcher many in the organization have watched develop with keen interest.
McLean’s readiness is being measured beyond numbers, with manager Carlos Mendoza emphasizing his intangibles—how he carries himself, handles adversity, navigates lineups, and commands the game from the mound. Mendoza quartered the public metrics with the unseen grades of a scouting staff that has long tracked McLean’s progress.
Three things to know about Nolan McLean as his Mets debut approaches
– A rapid rise through the minors
After a brief start in rookie ball and Single-A in 2023, McLean moved up to Double-A Binghamton in 2024, posting a 2-8 record with a 4.19 ERA, a 1.32 WHIP and 80 strikeouts in 81 2/3 innings. The Mets’ staff saw his upside with every outing, a sentiment that has only grown as he climbed to Triple-A Syracuse in May 2025. This season in Syracuse he is 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 87 1/3 innings.
– A two-sport background and a two-way pedigree
The North Carolina native was recruited by Oklahoma State for both baseball and football, earning the nickname “Cowboy Ohtani” for his exceptional bat-and-mound versatility. At OSU, he hit 19 home runs with 47 RBIs as a sophomore while also posting solid pitching numbers. The Orioles drafted him in the third round in 2022, but he did not sign due to an MRI concern; he joined the Mets a year later after posting a 3.30 ERA across 30 innings as a pro. In the minors, he has balanced a two-way background with a growing emphasis on pitching.
– What McLean brings on the mound
McLean carries mid-90s heat with a pair of fastballs (four-seam and sinker) and features a sweeper that sits in the mid-80s, regarded as his best pitch with a high ceiling (grading out around 70 on scouting scales). He also backs up with a changeup and a curveball to diversify his arsenal. The walk can bite him, as evidenced by a 3.9 walks per nine innings (10.6% walk rate) in Triple-A this season, a number the Mets will want to see trimmed as he transitions to the majors.
What this move means for the Mets
– It signals a confidence boost in the pipeline. Elevating a top pitching prospect to face an MLB lineup indicates the organization’s belief that McLean is ready to handle meaningful innings at Citi Field, at least in a spot start, while also preserving bullpen depth.
– It could create a longer-term rotation pathway. If McLean can command his repertoire and limit walks while achieving consistent results, he could emerge as a long-term option in the Mets’ rotation picture, especially if Montas and other options profile more as relievers or depth pieces.
– Immediate expectations and caution. The jump from Triple-A to the majors is significant, and the Mets will be watching not only how he handles the Mariners’ lineup on debut day but how he adapts to the league-wide adjustment of hitters with more experience and scouting data.
Summary take
Nolan McLean’s major-league debut represents a milestone for a player whose ascent has drawn parallels to two-way talent and a pitching development arc that has spanned several levels of the minors. If he can translate his mid-90s velocity, a high-ceiling sweeper, and a diversified mix into consistent big-league results, the Mets could gain a valuable asset in a year of rotation churn. For now, the focus will be on execution, mound presence, and the ability to navigate lineups with poise.
Additional notes and context
– Look for Mendoza and the coaching staff to monitor innings and pace, especially in the first couple of starts, as McLean adjusts to major-league hitters and the broader workload of the season.
– If the debut goes well, McLean could become a flexible option for the Mets’ rotation, offering potential to stabilize the group while providing a blueprint for how the organization develops its top pitching prospects.
Negative sentiment check: None. This article presents a positive, forward-looking assessment of Nolan McLean’s debut and the Mets’ strategic use of a top prospect. If you want, I can add a quick player-side bio box or a brief glossary of his pitches for readers.