The New York Mets will see one of their starting pitchers play in a big game that doesn’t affect the standings. However, the next time Nolan McLean will compete for a different championship. With the World Baseball Classic championship game ahead, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa chose the 24-year-old to take the mound against the winner of Italy/Venezuela. McLean isn’t an All-Star or the face of a franchise. Yet, as MLB.com writer Anthony Castrovince points out, the right-hander appears ready.
“There was rookie starter Nolan McLean. The 24-year-old Mets right-hander has made all of eight starts in the big leagues. But they were eight starts in which he was chucking and commanding both a four-seam and a two-seam in the upper 90s, to go with some of the best breaking stuff you’ll ever see. And then there was what he said when manager Mark DeRosa called him to gauge his interest.”
“I’m built for this,” McLean said. “I’ve been waiting my whole life for something like this.”
After holding on to defeat the Dominican Republic on Sunday night, 2-1, Team USA looks towards a pitcher with just eight MLB starts to get them through innings.
GettyMets pitcher Nolan McLean leaves the mound after the first inning during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Despite a Lack of Experience, McLean Carries US Hopes
McLean didn’t begin his major career until August 16, 2025. With an astounding 99 days of rest, he faced the Seattle Mariners, who eventually advanced to the American League Championship Series. Over 5.1 innings, he struck out eight and walked four without giving up a run. Additionally, McLean generated five ground balls to four fly balls. As a sinkerball pitcher, he needs to keep the ball down to keep it in the park.
McLean threw his sinker 27.9% of the time, according to Baseball Savant. Plus, when effective, the pitch settles in the lower third. Against right-handers, the ball drops inside. Meanwhile, he lives away from lefties, something he did not do against Italy’s Kyle Teel. McLean dropped his sinker on a lefty who deposited the ball over the centerfield fence. If he keeps the ball down, McLean becomes difficult to hit. If he does this, his WBC will come to a quick end.
A majority of Americans won’t like seeing a Team Italy early 3-0 lead. The exception: Chicago White Sox fans. Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci both go deep in the 2nd!
This one from Antonacci at 103.4 MPH EV. 403 ft.
The future looks bright in Chicago👀pic.twitter.com/tfiBPKu9pK
— Tobey Schulman (@tschulmanreport) March 11, 2026
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Postseason Glory Without Stress
How he pitches against Italy/Venezuela could become a parallel to how he will fare at Citi Field. With Jonah Tong attempting to figure things out in minor league camp, McLean stands as the team’s best young pitcher and hopeful ace of the future. While McLean did surrender two home runs the last time he pitched, optimism remains high.
After a season that saw the team squander a 5.5-game lead and finish over a dozen games back, a successful outing could bolster team morale. With Freddy Peralta as the No. 1 starter, McLean can start to fulfill his promise as a true No. 2.
GettyMets pitcher Nolan MacLean pitches during the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Divisional Foes Populate Rosters for Final Three
As McLean takes to the mound, Philadelphia Phillies Trea Turner and Bryce Harper will try to provide the offense and play sound defense behind him. However, the one player that he could set a tone against is Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who plays for Venezuela.
Despite holding the Braves to two runs over seven innings in a Mets’ 12-7 win on August 22, 2005, Acuña enjoyed a 2-for-4 day. At 28, Acuña will continue to serve as the Braves’ centerfielder and franchise player. McLean can show what he’s learned if the two face each other in the championship.
GettyMets pitcher Nolan MacLeanpitches during the first inning of the World Baseball Classic on March 10, 2026.
Playing With House Money
If McLean pitches poorly and Team USA loses, the loss doesn’t count on his record. At the same time, if he acquits himself well, that could be what people will remember. While many of his teammates compete under the spring training sun, McLean sets out to kick 2026 off well. Can the Mets hurler write his name in American baseball lore?
Mets Pitcher Hopes for ‘Commanding’ Outing During WBC Final