Why Nolan McLean has Rookie of the Year edge over Carson Benge for Mets

There's an outside chance a New York Met will win the NL Rookie of the Year Award. 

If it weren't for JJ Wetherholt and Sal Stewart, it would practically be a guarantee. 

Right-hander Nolan McLean, right fielder Carson Benge, and center fielder AJ Ewing are all Mets candidates. 

But McLean stands out above his teammates for a few reasons, Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote. 

"But Nolan McLean is probably going to be the Met who receives the most NL Rookie of the Year votes, blossoming into the undisputed ace of this pitching staff," Miller wrote. "He did have a bit of a dud against the Yankees last week, allowing five runs in a loss to the Bronx Bombers. He still has 18 quality starts for the year and entered that one with a 2.24 ERA over his previous 17 starts," Miller added. 

In addition to his strong ERA, McLean has struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings while allowing less (0.9) than a home run per nine. 

McLean's 189 strikeouts are the sixth most in the National League, trailing All-Star arms like Chris Sale, Cristopher Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo. 

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According to Miller, he can become the first rookie pitcher to record 20 quality starts in a season since Yordan Ventura had 22 in 2014. 

With a near 20-20 season and 10 outfield assists, Benge has had a stellar season for the Mets. 

But McLean's full body of work throughout the year has made it clear that he's emerged as the ace of the rotation and one of the best starters in the NL. 

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