Mar 15, 2024; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean participates in the Spring Breakout game against the Washington Nationals at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

New York Mets promote top pitching prospect to Triple-A Syracuse

Originally posted on New York Mets on SI
By John Sparaco | Last updated May 5, 2025 11:10 AM ET

One of the New York Mets’ top prospects is a step closer to the big leagues.

On Monday morning, the Mets promoted right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean from Double-A Binghamton to Triple-A Syracuse. The news was first reported by Daniel Wexler and later confirmed by Mike Mayer of Metsmerized.

Mets are promoting pitching prospect Nolan McLean to Triple-A Syracuse.

The 23-year-old had 1.37 ERA and 30 strikeouts in 26 1/3 innings this year for Double-A Binghamton. @WexlerRules on it first
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 5, 2025

McLean, 23, is currently ranked No. 5 in the Mets’ farm system by MLB Pipeline and No. 99 in the sport by Baseball America. In five Double-A starts, he went 3-1 with a 1.37 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 30 strikeouts over 26.1 innings. He has yet to allow a home run this season.

Initially drafted as a two-way player out of Oklahoma State in 2023, McLean shifted his full focus to pitching last June after batting .159/.232/.333 with a 52.1% strikeout rate in 69 plate appearances with Binghamton. The former third-round selection finished 2024 with a 3.78 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 109.2 innings between High-A and Double-A.

McLean features a diverse arsenal, which includes a high-90s fastball and a mid-80s sweeping slider with a spin rate over 3,000 rpm and more than 20 inches of horizontal movement. He also mixes in a cutter, changeup, and curveball.

Nolan McLean keeps on dealing

6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 K to lower his ERA to 1.37 on the year pic.twitter.com/r7JssPxSiQ
— Mets Player Development (@MetsPlayerDev) May 3, 2025

McLean now joins a rotation that includes Mets No. 1 prospect Brandon Sproat and No. 15 prospect Blade Tidwell. Tidwell made his MLB debut in the first game of Sunday’s doubleheader but was optioned back to Triple-A after the spot start.