Mets' top prospect continues to shine in Triple-A

Currently ranked as the Mets' No. 4 prospect and the No. 76 overall prospect according to MLB.com, McLean posted a 3.78 ERA over 25 starts in 2024 across High-A Brooklyn and Double-A Binghamton. He's only continued to ascend from there.

The Oklahoma State product appears to be guaranteeing himself a spot in the Mets' starting rotation within the next year. However, while there has been consideration about promoting McLean to fill a void in an injury-riddled rotation, president of baseball operations David Stearns is hesitant to call up a still-developing prospect under these circumstances.

"My preference is to not bring up a top prospect for a spot start," Stearns said. "I also understand this is a unique circumstance and I can't take anything off the table right now, but my preference would be to figure out a way to do it without doing that."

The Mets have leaned on their depth throughout their organization, and it has emerged as one of their biggest strengths. That being said, that depth is expected to be a major talking point in the coming weeks with the trade deadline approaching and the Mets projected to be aggressive buyers.

McLean's continued dominance gives the Mets a promising starter with upside, but also a potential trade chip should the Mets look to upgrade their roster for a playoff push. However, his rapid development and long-term upside are difficult to deny, making it likely the Mets will want to hold onto him.

While nothing is certain about what the Mets will do with their prospects at the deadline, the Mets have a plethora of exciting young pitchers in their farm system eager to contribute at the big-league level, with McLean at the top of that list.