The New York Mets might have found more than just a promising young arm.
Mar 29, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images
They may have found something rare.
Nolan McLean is only 24 years old and just 10 starts into his major league career, but what he’s doing right now is placing him in a category that spans more than a century of baseball—and includes only a handful of names.
That’s not hyperbole.
Through his first nine starts, McLean posted a 2.21 ERA with 65 strikeouts. Those numbers alone are impressive. But historically? They’re almost unheard of.
Only four other pitchers since earned runs became an official stat in 1913 have reached those marks that early in their careers: Paul Skenes, Orel Hershiser, Fernando Valenzuela, and José DeLeón.
Apr 3, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Nolan McLean (26) delivers a pitch against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images | Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images
That’s the list.
No Kershaw. No Clemens. No Pedro Martínez. No Scherzer or Verlander.
Just five names—including McLean.
It’s the kind of company that forces you to pause.
Because while it’s still early, performances like this don’t happen by accident. They suggest something deeper—command, composure, and the ability to translate talent immediately at the highest level.
And McLean isn’t slowing down.
In his 10th career start, he continued that momentum, delivering 5 1/3 innings of one-run baseball against the San Francisco Giants. He didn’t overpower hitters as much as in previous outings, but he remained in control, limiting damage and keeping the Mets in position.
That consistency might be the most telling part.
Young pitchers often show flashes. What separates them is how quickly those flashes turn into reliability. So far, McLean looks far more polished than most pitchers at this stage of their careers.
There’s usually an adjustment period.
He’s skipped it.
Of course, perspective matters. Ten starts don’t define a career. History is filled with early surges that didn’t last, shaped by injuries, adjustments, and the grind of a full season.
But that doesn’t diminish what’s happening right now.
Because what McLean is doing isn’t just good—it’s historically significant.
And for a Mets team looking for stability in its rotation, that matters more than ever.
They don’t just have a young pitcher developing.
They might have a frontline arm emerging faster than anyone expected.
The future is uncertain.
But the present? It’s getting harder to ignore.
Leave a Reply