Nolan McLean Bio
Nolan James McLean (born July 24, 2001) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025 and quickly became one of the most talked-about young starters in the league. A former two-way player, McLean transitioned to a full-time pitching role after signing with the Mets. He also represents the United States in international competition, including the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Early Life and Background
Nolan James McLean was born on July 24, 2001, in Willow Spring, North Carolina. He grew up in Willow Spring and attended Garner Magnet High School, where he starred in both baseball and football. As a young fan, McLean followed the Atlanta Braves, the closest Major League Baseball team to his hometown.
McLean was a talented two-sport athlete and committed to play both baseball and football at Oklahoma State University. He redshirted his freshman season on the football team before ultimately giving up the sport to focus solely on baseball. In the summer of 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a respected developmental league for top college players.
Path to Baseball
During his freshman season at Oklahoma State, McLean batted .263 with eight home runs and 20 runs batted in, while also appearing in two relief outings on the mound, where he posted an 0–1 record and an 18.00 ERA. As a sophomore, he hit .285 with 19 home runs and struck out 39 batters across 25 and a third innings pitched, showing promise as a two-way contributor. He then entered the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, where the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the third round as a pitcher.
McLean chose not to sign with Baltimore and returned to Oklahoma State for his junior year. In that junior season, he hit .250 with nine home runs and 29 RBI, and went 1–2 with six saves and a 3.30 ERA in 14 pitching appearances. His strong play on both sides of the ball helped establish him as one of the top two-way prospects in the country heading into the 2023 draft.
Nolan McLean Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
The New York Mets selected McLean in the third round with the 91st overall pick of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft, taking him as a two-way player. He signed with the Mets on July 15, 2023, for the full slot value of $747,600. The organization later transitioned him into a full-time pitcher, a move that allowed him to focus on refining his craft on the mound.
McLean split the 2024 season between the High-A Brooklyn Cyclones and the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies. Across both levels, he compiled a 3.78 ERA, a 1.26 WHIP, 116 strikeouts, and 42 walks over 109 and two-thirds innings, laying a strong foundation for his rise through the minor leagues.
Mets Breakthrough (2025)
McLean returned to Binghamton to open the 2025 season and posted a 1.37 ERA over 26 and a third innings before earning a promotion to the Triple-A Syracuse Mets. At Triple-A, he registered a 2.78 ERA and struck out 97 batters across 87 and a third innings. On August 13, 2025, the Mets promoted McLean to the major leagues for the first time.
He made his first career start on August 16 against the Seattle Mariners, going 5 and a third scoreless innings with eight strikeouts in a 3–1 victory to earn his first major league win. Six days later in Atlanta, he picked up his second straight win, allowing two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Braves. McLean was even sharper in his third start, throwing eight shutout innings in a 6–0 victory that closed out a sweep of the first-place Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, lowering his ERA to 0.89 and his WHIP to 0.69 while improving to 3–0.
In his fourth start, he retired the final 14 batters he faced, becoming the first Mets pitcher to earn a win in each of his first four career starts. McLean finished the 2025 season with a 5–1 record, a 2.06 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, and 57 strikeouts over 48 innings, a remarkable debut campaign for the young right-hander.
New York Mets Era (2025–Present)
McLean wears number 26 for the New York Mets and continues to build on his strong rookie season. Through statistics compiled on June 17, 2026, he had posted a 9–5 win–loss record, a 3.08 earned run average, and 154 strikeouts, cementing his place in the Mets starting rotation. His rapid rise from third-round draft pick to established big league starter has made him a centerpiece of the Mets organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
McLean is a power-armed starter whose fastball plays well in the upper part of the strike zone, and his ability to miss bats has been a defining trait at every level. He pairs his velocity with a sharp breaking ball and an improving changeup, allowing him to navigate lineups multiple times. His poise on the mound and willingness to attack hitters have helped him succeed against playoff-caliber opponents early in his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout achievements, McLean became the first Mets pitcher to win each of his first four major league starts, a feat that placed him in elite franchise company. His eight scoreless innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in his third start highlighted his potential as a frontline starter. He was also named to the United States roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, starting games against Team Italy and Team Venezuela in the tournament.
Nolan McLean Career Wins
Across his professional career, Nolan McLean has steadily accumulated wins at every level, from the minor leagues to the major leagues. His first MLB victory came in his debut start against the Seattle Mariners in August 2025, and he added four more regular-season wins before the year ended. By mid-June 2026, he had reached nine major league wins, establishing himself as a reliable starter for the Mets.
Mets Highlights
McLean’s first Mets win came on August 16, 2025, against Seattle, and his most recent verified win brought his MLB total to nine by June 17, 2026. His three-win streak to open his career, capped by eight scoreless innings versus Philadelphia, stood out as the defining highlight of his rookie season. He continues to log quality starts as a core member of the Mets rotation.
Other Wins and Performances
At Oklahoma State, McLean posted a 1–2 record with six saves and a 3.30 ERA during his junior season, and he added notable outings with the Cape Cod League’s Chatham Anglers in 2021. He also represented the United States in the 2019 18U Baseball World Cup in Gijang, South Korea, winning a gold medal as part of Team USA.
Nolan McLean Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
McLean grew up in Willow Spring, North Carolina, and attended Garner Magnet High School, where he played baseball and football. Public details about his parents and broader family are not well documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Nolan McLean is a Christian and grew up as a fan of the Atlanta Braves. He is married to Avery Frechette, and the couple has been part of his support system throughout his rise through professional baseball.
2025 Season Performance
McLean’s 2025 season was a breakthrough year that began in the minor leagues and ended with a memorable major league debut. He opened at Double-A Binghamton, posted a 1.37 ERA, and earned a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse, where he struck out 97 batters across 87 and a third innings. His call-up to the Mets on August 13 set the stage for one of the most impressive rookie pitching stretches in recent franchise history.
After winning his first four major league starts, including eight shutout innings against the Phillies, McLean finished the season with a 5–1 record, a 2.06 ERA, and 57 strikeouts in 48 innings. His performance gave the Mets a young, controllable starter to build around heading into 2026. The strong finish carried directly into his role on the United States roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, where he was tapped as a starter alongside Joe Ryan and Clay Holmes.
