The New York Mets are calling up top pitching prospect Nolan McLean from Triple-A Syracuse to start Saturday’s game against the Seattle Mariners, manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old right-hander will take the spot of Frankie Montas, who was demoted to the bullpen after a disastrous eight-game debut with the Mets in which he posted a 6.36 ERA. He signed a two-year, $34 million deal to join the club over the winter.
McLean, who is ranked as the Mets’ No. 3 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, has been dominant in the minors, beginning in Double-A Binghamton. After going 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched, he was called up to Triple-A, where he continued to roll. In 16 appearances with Syracuse (13 starts), He is 5-4 with a 2.78 ERA and 97 strikeouts in 87.1 innings of work.
“We feel good with him going out there and giving us a chance to win baseball games,” Mendoza said. “You’re facing big league hitters. Credit to him for putting himself in this position. There’s always pressure. This is the big leagues. The biggest thing for us is for him to be himself, go out there, and have fun.”
He has been especially dominant over his last four starts (23 innings pitched), posting a 1.96 ERA with 26 strikeouts. Over his last seven starts, he owns a 33.3% strikeout rate, and opponents have posted a paltry .565 OPS against him.
McLean has a four-seam fastball that averages in the mid-90s but can top out at 98 mph; his calling card is a devastating sweeper in the mid-80s. He also possesses a high-80s changeup and a seldom-used curveball.
“This is a guy, not only his ability to pitch, but it’s just the mentality to compete,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “The way he holds runners, there’s a lot to like when you’re talking to some of the staff members down in Triple-A.”
The Mets will hope that he can provide a spark to a rotation that has been struggling over the last two months. Entering Wednesday’s middle game against the Atlanta Braves, David Peterson was the only starter in the last 52 games to complete six or more innings in a single outing.
“Any time you’re able to call up a prospect… the expectation here is to help us win baseball games,” Mendoza said. “That’s what we’ll get from a lot of these guys… We’re going to need [him].”
