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As the United States battles for the World Baseball Classic championship, the pitching rotation will feature a relatively unfamiliar name.
New York Mets rookie pitcher Nolan McLean is scheduled to join a rotation that also features Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Logan Webb. While those three players have combined for three Cy Young Awards and six All-Star appearances, McLean is the unknown member of the group.
Who is Nolan McLean?
Nolan McLean is the Mets top prospect and one of the best prospects in baseball entering the 2026 season. Many of the MLB prospect rankings have McLean as the best pitching prospect in baseball, including MLB Pipeline, which has McLean ranked sixth overall.
McLean is a huge piece of the Mets’ future, as he offers the team a potential ace if he can reach his ceiling.
In college, McLean was a two-way player, both pitching for Oklahoma State and playing third base and right field. The Mets drafted him in the third round as a two-way player, but McLean opted to focus solely on pitching in the majors.
MORE: Full World Baseball Classic schedule and how to watch the games
Why was Nolan McLean selected to Team USA?
Team USA chose to add McLean to the roster because of his talent and, likely, because of how many other pitchers declined. While McLean has a high ceiling, he isn't one of the best four American pitchers right now, but many of the best likely didn't want to participate, opting to prepare for the MLB season instead.
However, McLean agreed to join Team USA, and he still gives the Americans a strong option in the rotation. McLean will start Team USA's fourth group game vs. Italy, and will be lined up to potentially pitch in the knockout stage as well.
Has Nolan McLean pitched in the Majors?
McLean made his major league debut for the Mets in 2025, finding immediate success while New York fell out of the playoff race. McLean pitched in eight games last season, allowing just 11 runs in 48 innings. which resulted in an ERA just over 2.00.
Nolan McLean was lights out yesterday 💪@Delta | #LGM pic.twitter.com/QCCXNutOyT
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 15, 2025Nolan McLean MLB stats
- Games: 8
- Record: 5-1
- Innings: 48.0
- ERA: 2.06
- Strikeouts: 57
McLean's first taste of MLB action went extremely well, as he totaled an ERA of 2.06 in eight starts, which was in the top 15 among starters with at least 48 innings.
How old is Nolan McLean
Nolan McLean is 24 years-old and set to turn 25 in July. He is one of the favorites to win the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year award this season.
Where is Nolan McLean from?
McLean was born and raised in Willow Spring, North Carolina, where he was a dual-threat athlete. McLean then attended Oklahoma State for college, where he remained for three years before leaving and being drafted by the Mets.
English (US)