NY Mets: What stood out about Pete Alonso breaking team home run record
Pete Alonso proved himself to be the Mets franchise’s preeminent power hitter when he set the club record with his 253rd home run on Aug. 13, 2025.
The New York Mets are turning to their top pitching prospect to try and mend their trouble in the starting rotation.
According to multiple reports, the team is set to promote right-hander Nolan McLean, the club’s No. 3 overall prospect and top young arm, according to MLB Pipeline, to make Saturday’s start against the Seattle Mariners at Citi Field. SNY’s Andy Martino was first to report the news.
McLean’s Major League debut will come after the Mets shifted Frankie Montas to the bullpen following the right-hander’s struggles in eight appearances since returning from a lat strain.
For McLean, the 24-year-old right-hander’s first appearance on the mound will be one of the club’s most anticipated pitching debuts since Christian Scott made his first start for the Mets last May.
Here are three things to know about McLean with his Mets premiere on the horizon:
Nolan McLean made his biggest leap this season
After appearing in just eight games for rookie ball and Single A in 2023, McLean began to make his move in 2024 when he reached Double-A Binghamton.
He posted a 2-8 record with a 4.19 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 80 strikeouts across 81â…” innings with the Rumble Ponies. But the right-hander has made his biggest leap this season.
McLean opened the 2025 season with a 3-1 record, 1.37 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 26â…“ innings and was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on May 6. The rise has continued there, with McLean going 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 97 strikeouts in 87â…“ innings for Syracuse this season.
Nolan McLean started out as a two-sport player
McLean was a touted prospect for his versatility in a multitude of ways.
The North Carolina native was recruited by Oklahoma State for both baseball and football. He was relief pitcher, third baseman and outfielder entering college, along with a three-star quarterback recruit, but opted to stick with baseball.
After being drafted by the Orioles in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, he went unsigned due to a concern with an MRI. He landed with the Mets one year later in the same round.
McLean posted a .565 OPS in 35 games with Double-A Binghamton last season, opting to focus on the mound beginning in late June.
Nolan McLean scouting report: What he brings to Mets
While McLean boasts a pair of fastballs (four-seam and sinker) that linger in the mid-90s, the prospect’s most exciting pitch is his sweeper, which registers in the mid-80s.
According to MLB Pipeline, McLean’s sweeper grades out as his best pitch as a 70 out of 80.
McLean will also mix in a changeup and curveball to diversify his offering.
The one area that could benefit from some improvement is McLean’s walk rate. He has issued 3.9 walks per nine innings or 10.6 percent walk rate in Triple A this season.