Nolan McLean: Rookie of the Year Contender

0:00It's March 3rd, here's your New York Met's news in two minutes. Subscribe to stay locked in all season. Nolan McLean from The Metz looks like a real threat for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year award. Even if he's not the top betting pick right now, his edge comes from already proving himself in the majors last year. In eight starts during his 2025 debut, he won five wins and won loss with a 2.06 earned run average over 48. He struck out 57 and walked just 16, staying well under rookie limits to keep his eligibility. That success gives him a big head start over favorites like Connor Griffin and JJ Weatherhold. Those two are hyped prospects, but they've yet to face a full big league season. Griffin dazzled in the minors with speed and power at just 19 years old while Weatherhold brings steady hitting. Still, McLean has shown he can handle major league hitters right away. Players took notice too, giving him some down-bally votes despite the short stint.

1:01One standout was his third start, where he threw 8 shutout innings against the Phillies, who won 96 games and took the division. No walks, just 4 hits and 6 strikeouts, he looked totally in command, was set to him apart are his ace-like skills, including a mid-90s sinker with heavy movement and a sharp breaking ball. His high strikeout rate, ground ball tendency, and strong advanced stats suggest he can keep it up over a full year, maybe with the sub-3 earned run, average and around 170 strikeouts. Looking ahead, McLean slots into the met's rotation as a number 2 or 3 starter, primed for 28 to 30 starts on a contending team. That volume and spotlight in New York could build the counting stats voters love, turning him from challenger into frontrunner. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. Your favorite podcasts, music, or sleep sounds coming from your pillow. No earbuds, no distractions, just listen and relax.

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