The Batman: Part II?

When Steve Cohen acquired the New York Mets in November 2020, he optimistically said “it would be a disappointment” if they did not win a World Series within 3 to 5 years. Since then the owner has seen the ups and downs of baseball ownership from selling at the deadline in 2023 and the Grimace and “OMG” fueled NLCS run in 2024. However, one thing has eluded the Mets and Cohen, until now.

After years of mediocrity, The Mets are finally able to pick from their farm system to fill position of need on the big league roster.

At the start of 2024, Cohen while addressing media in Port St.Lucie, said “I’ve always wanted a sustainable farm system. Well they don’t grow on trees.”. Cohen was correct, they don’t grow on trees, and while there have been the addition of the “Baby Mets” on the roster, they have had growing pains, injury pains, and system fit pains, all things that are plausible to happen.

Without moving any of those younger players after their trade deadline flurry, the answer to the starting pitching issues they have had all season are split between Syracuse and Binghamton. ESPNs most recent Top 100 Prospect ranking has the Mets with 6 prospects in the field of 100. Jett Williams (18), Nolan McLean (19), Jonah Tong (21), Carson Benge (27), A.J Ewing (74) and Brandon Sproat (83).

While the other prospects continue to develop, Nolan McLean has received the call up to The Show in a time where the Mets need pitchers to exxtend outings more than ever.

Since June 13th, the Mets starting pitchers have pitched 227 innings, the least in all of MLB. With the struggles of their starting staff being so prominent, Nolan McLean’s debut against the Seattle Mariners is reason for Mets fans to be very excited. McLean pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 2 hits, 4 walks, zero runs and struck out 8 while also dazzling fans with an electric behind-the-back fielding moment.

He was everything the Mets faithful were promised when Steve Cohen said he wanted a sustainable farm system. The list of pitchers to win their big league debut with zero runs and eight or more strikeouts is Nolan McLean and Matt Harvey. Is it possible that the Mets have found the successor for the cape and cowl in Queens?

McLean is a diverse pitcher who has 6 pitches in his arsenal. He features a sweeping breaking ball, a changeup, a sinker, and a 4 seam fastball that gets up to 96mph and a curveball that produced 4 Ks, and a 45.5% whiff rate in his start versus the Seattle Mariners, according to Statcast. McLean’s curveball also has an average of 3279 RPM, which means the baseball is spinning A LOT during its delivery to the catcher. Hitters were absolutely baffled, and to give further context, Charlie Morton’s curveball averages 3186 RPM which leads all MLB qualified starters.

McLean’s continued success would not only give the Mets one less issue to address while they try to catch up to Philadelphia in the NL East Pennant race, it may be exactly what Mets fans need in order to believe again.