Nolan McLean's dazzling 2025 debut dominated, earning him the Mets' top 'MLB-ready' nod. His 2.06 ERA hints at Opening Day potential.
Though the New York Mets would like to forget much of the second half of the 2025 campaign, some bright spots bring some hope to the future of the club. Because multiple starters faced significant troubles in the final months, some top pitching prospects were able to make their major league debuts in 2025.
Right-handers Jonah Tong and Brandon Sproat had their moments in their first stints on the biggest stage, but neither came close to the levels reached by right-hander Nolan McLean.
McLean made eight starts for New York in the final weeks of the season, and he was dominant in nearly every one.
Before his final start of the season, in which he allowed five runs, McLean held opposing teams to a 1.27 ERA. He recorded wins against some of baseball’s best teams, such as the Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and Detroit Tigers. At just 24 years old, McLean looked far from just a pitching prospect.
His immense success at the MLB level is why it comes as no surprise that he was selected as the Mets’ most MLB-ready prospect by Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report.
“McLean pitched well enough in eight starts last season to earn a couple third-place votes for NL Rookie of the Year, despite the fact that he has not yet exhausted his prospect status,” Reuter wrote in a recent article. “It's not out of the question to think he could be the Mets' Opening Day starter if no other outside additions are made to the starting rotation.”
The starting rotation in New York has been called into question ever since the collapse it saw in the final months of the 2025 campaign. So far, no significant additions have been made to bolster the rotation. It’ll be on pitchers like Kodai Senga, Sean Manaea, and David Peterson to return to the levels they were at in the first half of 2025.
Though it’s certainly concerning to see the lack of change to the rotation, the certainty surrounding McLean makes it a much easier pill to swallow. Not only can he be a reliable arm for a playoff-caliber club, but he has the potential to be the No. 1 guy. His return to the mound at Citi Field in 2026 will be much anticipated by fans after their glimpse in 2025.