Mets refusing to rush their Big 3 of pitching prospects — even with a desperate need for arms

PHILADELPHIA — Nolan McLean has pitched to superb numbers at Triple-A Syracuse, generating plenty of buzz this season as one of the Mets’ top-tier pitching prospects.

And yet the right-hander was never seriously considered for Friday’s spot start against the Phillies in large part because team officials want improvement from him against left-handed hitters. It’s a weakness McLean can hide pitching in the International League, but probably not so much in the big leagues.

The start instead went to Blade Tidwell, whose numbers at Syracuse have underwhelmed. Tidwell possesses high-90s heat that at least figured to give him a chance against a Phillies lineup that thrives on contact. Tidwell’s selection — likely based on his rough major league debut in St. Louis last month — seemed to elicit a collective groan from a fan base desperate to find the next great thing.

Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong are the high-end arms that surround McLean to form the Big Three of Mets pitching prospects. But will any of them get an opportunity to help the major league club this season?