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Mets’ Nolan McLean enters Randy Johnson territory with torrid start to career
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- Mets’ Nolan McLean enters Randy Johnson territory with torrid start to career
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
The post Mets' Nolan McLean enters Randy Johnson territory with torrid start to career appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The New York Mets have a rising star making waves in the National League — Nolan McLean. In just his first three big-league starts, the 24-year-old right-hander has done more than stabilize the Mets rotation — he's already carved out a place in MLB rookie pitcher history.
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McLean has delivered a dazzling stat line to begin his career , posting a perfect 3-0 record, 20.1 innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, a 0.89 ERA, and a .167 opponent batting average. Those numbers not only reflect dominance — they echo history.
In the Mets' series finale win at home, OptaSTATS took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to highlight that the rookie joined elite company following his dominant performance against the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night.
"Nolan McLean of the @Mets is the first MLB pitcher to have:
3-0 record
20+ innings
20+ strikeouts
sub-.200 opp BA
…over his first 3 career starts since Randy Johnson in 1988."
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The comparison to the legendary Randy Johnson is no exaggeration. His 1988 debut was the beginning of a Hall of Fame career that featured 303 wins and five Cy Young Awards. While McLean still has a long road ahead, he's already launched his career from rare and elite territory.
In Wednesday's 6-0 win vs. Philadelphia, McLean tossed eight scoreless innings, striking out nine, walking none, and surrendering just four hits. He leaned heavily on a sweeping slider and sinker that induced 12 groundouts — a hallmark of his 69.2% ground ball rate.
Drafted by the Mets in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma State, McLean excelled as a two-way player, hitting 25 home runs and recording 105 strikeouts in his final college season. Since transitioning to full-time pitching, he's showcased plus velocity around 95 mph and elite extension that shortens hitters' reaction time.
The emergence of McLean has arrived at a critical juncture for a team battling injuries across its starting rotation, including multiple season-ending setbacks. His presence has not only stabilized the staff but also fueled momentum in the standings. Now sitting at 72-61, the club occupies the third and final NL Wild Card spot and have pulled to within 4.0 games of Philadelphia in the NL East.
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The rookie pitcher's early success highlights a growing trend across MLB, as teams increasingly prioritize athletic, multi-dimensional prospects — a shift largely influenced by Shohei Ohtani 's impact. McLean's transition from two-way college standout to immediate big-league contributor reinforces the value of that development model. His breakout could accelerate similar paths for rising arms like Andrew Painter and Cade Povich .
For now, the Mets appear to have found more than a spot starter. McLean is looking like a homegrown ace — one whose early numbers match a legend, and whose presence might just swing a pennant race.
Related: Carlos Mendoza's blown away reaction to Nolan McLean gem
Related: Mets' Nolan McLean clears Tom Seaver's record in Phillies beatdown
