Mets' Nolan McLean is overwhelmingly favored to win a major award

At 15-25, the New York Mets are the de facto worst team in Major League Baseball. After shedding their old core of outfielder Brandon Nimmo, first baseman Pete Alonso and right-hander Edwin Diaz, the Mets' new core includes second baseman Marcus Semien, third baseman Bo Bitchette and center fielder Luis Robert Jr., who have not done well. 

On the whole, the Mets' roster has underperformed, with a few players having success. One of those players having success is right-hander Nolan McLean, who is the front-runner to win the National League Rookie of the Year. 

New York Mets Nolan McLean leads all National League rookies for the Rookie of the Year voting

McLean, 24, made his major league debut at the tail end of last season and performed well. In eight starts, McLean went 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and struck out 57. 

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In a poll taken by MLB experts, McLean is considered the overwhelming favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, receiving 23 first-place votes. Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart came in a distant second with six first-place votes. 

"McLean made his MLB debut last August and was quite impressive: 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in five starts," wrote Jason Foster of MLB.com. "He threw just 48 innings, keeping his rookie eligibility intact through this season. And, so far, he's looked a lot like the guy we saw at the end of 2025. Through Sunday, McLean led all qualified NL rookie pitchers in strikeouts (57), K/9 ratio (11.32), WHIP (0.90) and opponents' average (.180). Meanwhile, his 2.78 ERA ranked second. He's been a very bright spot for the Mets in a season that, so far, hasn't had many."

Through his first eight starts of this season, McLean is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA and has struck out 57. McLean has been the Mets' ace of their staff, despite being a rookie, as right-hander Freddy Peralta has pitched more like a two or a three this season. Peralta is 2-3 with a 3.12 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in eight starts. 

McLean is not only putting himself in line to win the Rookie of the Year Award, but also to be one of the starters at this summer's All-Star game. 

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