On Mets Hot Stove, Gary Apple, Keith Raad, Will Sammon and Todd Zeile discuss the rise and expectations on Nolan McLean in 2026 as well as how the rest of the rotation can stack up.

15 comments

  1. My floor hope for him is Spencer Schwellenbach. I hate him and how he came out of nowhere to be a No. 2/3 for the Braves.

  4. I was thinking lately about all time greats and how many of them had velo vs guys that threw a bunch of nasty breakers. Anyone care to weigh in?

  6. I’m a certified stan, so take this as you will. But I honestly think as soon as this year he’s a top 10-15 pitcher in the game. He already has multiple plus pitches and has proven they work against major leaguers. His curveball is straight up top tier. If he stays healthy and refines his command he’s an absolute ace.

  7. He’s a rookie. He’s damn good. As a rightfully superstitious Mets fan I have no expectations beyond that. Let him cook. But please stop awarding him the Cy Young before spring training.

  8. He’s been deserving of a rotation spot since his 3rd start. McLean will be a huge part of our success this year and thankfully the Peralta trade will give him more of a cushion to build himself into a top tier pitcher.

  9. He honestly just looks like a different breed out there, I love his presence on the mound and his pitches have insane movement and he’s only a rookie. I think the ceiling is sky high for him. Haven’t ever been this excited about a Mets pitching prospect tbh.

  11. I know people will accuse me of getting way ahead of myself, but I truly think McLean will be up there with Skenes and skubal by the end of the season. I haven’t see movement on pitches like that in over a decade. He’s only going to improve and we can all sense the beginning of greatness with just a few games.

  12. I really wish the rest of the team stepped up enough that we could’ve at least gotten to see him pitch game 1 in LA, the game where the Dodgers lineup shelled Hunter Greene instead. Hopefully we’ll know how he handles the playoffs this time next year

  14. Just to be clear, the following is meant as HUMOROUS…

    Let’s tone down the hype…a LITTLE bit.

    Isringhausen 9-2, 2.81 ERA first season…terrible the rest of his Mets career. His contemporaries Paul Wilson and Bill Pulsipher were no better. Yes, Izzy found success as a closer. That didn’t help us. Izzy was traded, WITH Greg McMichael, for Billy Taylor…who? Exactly.

    Harvey had a better start 25-18 with a 2.53 ERA over his first 2.5 seasons. But his injury and poor recovery, largely attributed to his partying, followed by a Scott Boras fueled ego-trip, erased all his potential and legacy…his buddies that year, (Matz 4-0 2.27 in debut) and Thor 47-31 3.32 ERA in 6 years as a Met before fizzling fast) lasted a bit longer as effective pitchers…I was amazed to find out that Matz has a 2 year/15 million contract with the Rays and has carved out a decent relief pitcher career.

    Sidd Finch never actually materialized in reality.

    The history of pitchers who STARTED out as Mets and were given up to lead great careers is impressive…

    Nolan, Mike Scott, David Cone, Wheeler…

    (Seriously, I hope McLean goes 17-6 and only loses the Cy Young, not to Peralta’s 19-8, but to Tong’s 22-3.)

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