Expectations around Nolan McLean have escalated rapidly, transforming a promising young arm into a central figure of the Mets’ 2026 pitching blueprint.
Aug 27, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) delivers a pitch during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Called up late last season, McLean delivered immediate results, posting a 5–1 record and a 2.06 ERA across eight starts.
Those numbers didn’t just surprise fans, they quietly reset internal expectations for what the Mets believe their rotation can become.
Beyond performance, McLean’s selection to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic added another layer of visibility and pressure.
While most pitchers awaited reporting dates, McLean arrived early in Port St. Lucie, working alongside established and newly acquired arms.
That early presence signaled more than enthusiasm, it suggested a pitcher already acting like a rotation anchor rather than a developing rookie.
During live batting practice, McLean spoke less about results and more about refining his arsenal for sustained major league success.
His focus on improving the changeup and cutter hinted at an awareness that early dominance alone won’t carry a full season.
At twenty-four, McLean understands that hitters will adjust quickly, and maintaining an edge requires constant evolution.
The Mets’ rotation suddenly looks deeper after the additions of Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers, raising the collective ceiling significantly.
McLean openly praised Peralta’s leadership, subtly acknowledging how much the staff’s structure has already begun to shift.
With veterans like Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea behind him, McLean’s role feels less sheltered than originally planned.
Meanwhile, younger arms like Jonah Tong and Christian Scott are expected to begin the year in Triple-A, increasing reliance on McLean.
That reliance exists for a reason, after starting pitching failures derailed the Mets’ postseason hopes just one year ago.
McLean’s eight-start cameo became a symbol of what the rotation was missing during that collapse.
Now, what once felt like promise has quietly hardened into expectation.
NL Rookie of the Year buzz lingers, but awards chatter often follows pressure rather than protection.
The Mets aren’t asking McLean to save the season, but circumstances suggest they may need him to stabilize it.
And as 2026 approaches, the line between opportunity and burden is becoming increasingly thin.
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