Nolan McLean’s Control Issues Persist Despite Mets’ Win

In the Mets’ recent 7-5 win against the Braves at Citi Field, pitcher Nolan McLean faced ongoing control challenges after a shaky first inning. He managed to pitch just four innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs along with four walks, throwing a total of 93 pitches.

The 24-year-old has been struggling to effectively “hit pitches off his speed,” which has been a recurring issue. It’s noteworthy that from the 33 pitches he tossed into the strike zone against Atlanta, only seven were off-speed.

Reflecting on his performance, McLean mentioned previously, “I think the biggest thing is being able to make different pitches in the zone. It’s much easier for hitters when they know one pitch is a strike and another isn’t.” This idea seems to be a central focus in his attempts to improve.

The second inning highlighted his difficulties, where he faced three walks, resulting in a taxing 42-pitch inning—quite the ordeal for a starting pitcher.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged that no one really prepares for an inning with 40 to 50 pitches, hinting that McLean might have been taken out had he faced another batter.

Despite the challenges in that inning, McLean was able to limit the damage, allowing just two earned runs when the bases were loaded with only one out. He shared that it’s about competitiveness and finding ways to push through, even when fatigue sets in.

Mendoza noted, “I talked to Nolan during the bottom of the second inning when he was resting. We had a lengthy offensive stint.” He remarked that if McLean had gotten three quick outs, he wouldn’t have returned.

After a promising start to the season, McLean is experiencing his first significant setback in the league. As of Friday, his stats reflect a .202 batting average, a 1.11 WHIP, and a 3.98 ERA, with 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings. Impressively, he ranks among the top in strikeouts and batting average for eligible rookies in the National League.

Even though McLean’s recent outings have not been ideal, his last four games have been stronger in terms of WHIP, ERA, and batting average compared to his season opener. This latest win, buoyed by his efforts, might just provide him the confidence needed to re-enter the Rookie of the Year conversation.

In the final two innings of the game, he did appear to regain some composure, allowing only one hit, one walk, and managing one strikeout.