During New York Mets‘ spring training in early 2026, Nolan McLean outlined his objectives for the upcoming season, concentrating on improving his pitching arsenal. Unlike casual questions typical of celebrity events, McLean’s focus turned to his role as a leading pitcher and his plan for continued progression in the major leagues. Central to his approach is the refinement of his changeup and cutter, aiming to strengthen his overall performance.
An In-depth Look at McLean’s Pitch Usage and Effectiveness
Throughout the 2025 season, McLean’s pitching repertoire revealed distinct areas of strength and weakness. While his sinker accounted for 206 throws and his sweeper totaled 190, the changeup and cutter were less frequently used, thrown only 64 and 63 times respectively. Despite the limited use, the changeup proved highly effective, limiting batters to a .143 batting average with no extra-base hits allowed, contrasting sharply with the struggles seen with his sweeper.
The sweeper emerged as McLean’s most problematic pitch, with opposing batters hitting .361 against it and managing only a 20.3% whiff rate. Moreover, it yielded two home runs and contributed just six strikeouts, signifying underperformance compared to his curveball’s 50% whiff rate and about 30% whiff rates from both the changeup and cutter.
Addressing the Sweeper’s Challenges and Possible Adjustments
McLean’s pitching coach, Justin Willard, recently appointed, brings experience that might assist in advancing McLean’s sweeper. Drawing comparisons, Garrett Crochet’s sweeper was among the best league-wide in 2025, while Dustin May also posted a positive run value with the pitch. Mets pitchers Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea, though holding a low batting average against on the sweeper (.218), did not see the pitch perform to a comparable level. These insights highlight both the potential and challenges McLean faces in improving or managing this pitch.
Given the mental complexity of pitching at the highest level, McLean’s strategy might involve focusing heavily on his changeup and cutter, trusting these pitches to deliver while either limiting his reliance on the sweeper or transforming it into a more effective weapon. Unlike Yusei Kikuchi, who dropped his sweeper to prevent it negatively impacting other pitches, McLean appears committed to finding a way to make it a beneficial part of his mix.
Implications for McLean’s 2026 Performance and Career Trajectory
Improving his lesser pitches could be instrumental for McLean’s success in 2026, as he aims to solidify his position at the top of the Mets’ rotation. Enhancing the changeup and cutter, combined with a strategic approach to his sweeper, offers a path to elevate his effectiveness and resilience on the mound. With guidance from Justin Willard and benchmark practices from pitchers like Crochet and May, McLean has the opportunity to turn past weaknesses into strengths, potentially transforming his season and long-term career outlook.
“Nolan McLean plans on refining his changeup and his cutter heading into 2026 pic.twitter.com/6E2DlyWLAg” — SNY Mets
Nolan McLean plans on refining his changeup and his cutter heading into 2026 pic.twitter.com/6E2DlyWLAg
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) February 3, 2026
