Unicorn Mets prospect promoted to AA to replace another notable pitcher moving up to AAA

The Binghamton Rumble Ponies will have a unicorn in their ballpark soon. On Sunday, it was announced that the horned one who leaps over rainbows and does other hyperbolic things relating to rainbows will be going from the Brooklyn Cyclones up to the Rumble Ponies. The most unique prospects the New York Mets have, he’ll get a chance to see if he can carry over his talents to the next level. Welcome to Double-A, Nolan McLean!

The early verdict on McLean is that his offense needs some work. The fat OPS exists largely due to power. Mclean mashed 7 doubles and another 5 home runs in his 74 plate appearances for Brooklyn. He batted just .224 with a .297 OBP. Striking out 38 times, pitchers got revenge for their teammates who went down on strikes plenty against McLean.

In 7 starts spanning 28 innings, McLean fanned 36 batters while pitching to a 2.57 ERA. His 1.07 WHIP and 3.2 walks per 9 further add to the early accomplishments in 2024. Hopefully the pitcher-friendly confines in Brooklyn in the rearview mirror helps his bat begin to more closely match what he does on the mound.

Nolan McLean will replace an even better Mets pitching prospect in Double-A

To make room for McLean, the Mets made another promotion. Blade Tidwell is movin’ on up to Triple-A after going 2-4 with a 2.41 ERA in 37.1 innings in Binghamton. Some superb walk numbers at 2.7 per 9 to match an impressive strikeout rate of 10.6 per 9, it’s a well-deserved call-up. Tidwell will have a chance to be right there alongside the other Mets pitching prospects in Triple-A vying for the same conversation Christian Scott had when he was told he’d be joining the MLB roster.

Tidwell’s “House Slytherin” look in the eye will get a chance to intimidate a whole new crop of batters. He’ll look for more success than many of the other Mets pitching prospects he’ll ride the bus with.

Through 8 starts, Dom Hamel is 1-2 with a 6.48 ERA and over 7 walks per 9. Mike Vasil, also after 8 starts, has an identical record but an even more inflated 8.49 ERA. His walk total is bad at 4.9 per 9. However, his bigger problem are the meatballs. He has allowed 10 home runs in 29.2 innings of work.

Tidwell ranks 10th on MLB Pipeline’s most recent list of top Mets prospects with McLean at 19th with no real extra bonus points for being such a unique player. This is the second straight week the Mets made some notable promotions. Unfortunately, Ryan Clifford has started off 1 for 18 with Binghamton. Brandon Sproat, meanwhile, tossed 5 scoreless innings in his lone appearance.