NY Mets Monday Morning GM: Nolan McLean represents best success and biggest failure

Two for two in his big league starts, Nolan McLean feels like he’s completely changing the vibe around the New York Mets. The only debate with him right now is whether his first or second start was better. The first didn’t include any runs against him but the second had more length, no walks, and it came on the road against the Atlanta Braves on national television.

No moment or situation seems too big for him. A struggling pitcher in Double-A this time last season who decided to ditch hitting to focus on one area instead, becoming less unique has actually been the best thing for him because it has made him exactly what the Mets needed more than a unicorn. They needed a standard stallion.

The delayed decision to promote him won’t sit easy for Mets fans who pleaded for a promotion much earlier. Painful losses in June and July with an even more egregious situation at the beginning of August with McLean in Triple-A eating up innings will be unforgivable if the team fails to make the postseason because of one start too many made by someone who didn’t deserve it. His presence on the Mets roster right now in excellent form proves both the club’s success at developing young arms as well as their fallacy in the way they approach the timing of promotions.

Nolan McLean is a Mets success story, why does the team keep waiting for more?

It was supposed to be Christian Scott who showed us what the pitching lab can do. Debuting last season with excitement but not the results, Tommy John surgery claimed him for the rest of the calendar year and all of 2025. The reset button was hit on seeing a promising rookie arm in the rotation, something the Mets have lacked since David Peterson in 2020.

So far, so brilliant for McLean who showed off the goods regularly in the minors prior to his promotion. It was clear with the Mets rotation scuffling he was going to end up in the majors at some point. Whether it was poor planning or a reluctance to move on from veterans, the Mets held him back. They weren’t shy about calling up Blade Tidwell unexpectedly despite underwhelming results in Triple-A. Why so timid with McLean?

The Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) which rewards teams with having a player with a rookie status on their Opening Day roster if he ends up winning awards (notably Rookie of the Year) must’ve been too tantalizing by mid-season to try and win more games with McLean in the rotation. It’s a false way to look at things. It would be like waiting to order wagyu steak at a hot dog stand.

The Mets are a little too caught in between winning now and building for sustained success with no guarantee. McLean should’ve been on the big league roster weeks earlier than he was. The chance at draft pick compensation isn’t worth missing the playoffs. The Mets haven’t had a rookie on their Opening Day roster since 2020 when Andres Gimenez. It looks likely to change with McLean already shoving his way there. It shouldn’t be a half-decade in between the next.