New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised rookie pitcher Nolan McLean’s impressive major league debut on Saturday. The 24-year-old right-hander, who is the No. 3 prospect according to ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel, struck out eight hitters and threw five scoreless innings in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Mariners.
McLean, who made his MLB debut after being designated from veteran Paul Blackburn, looked poised and executed from pitch one. His athleticism and fielding ability also impressed, as seen in a behind-the-back stop on a comebacker with the bases loaded and one out.
The rookie’s clutch performance was crucial in snapping a three-game losing streak for the Mets. With McLean on the mound, the team played with an amplified energy that was absent from them in recent weeks.
Mendoza acknowledged that McLean’s presence was what the team needed to turn their season around. “Definitely something that maybe we were missing,” he said. “Especially with how hard this stretch has been.”
The Mets’ victory, thanks in part to McLean’s outing, marked their third win in 17 games and snapped a three-game losing streak. The team’s closer, Edwin Diaz, closed the door on the Mariners’ late rally, securing a shutout in the eighth inning.
“We’re losing in many different ways,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “And today everything clicked.”
Source: https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45997361/nolan-mclean-gives-mets-missing-energy-stellar-mlb-debut