Introduction
Nolan James McLean (born July 24, 2001) is an American professional baseball two-way player in the New York Mets organization.
Amateur career
McLean grew up in Willow Springs, North Carolina, and attended Garner Magnet High School. McLean committed to play both baseball and football at Oklahoma State University.
McLean batted .263 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs and had a 0–1 record with a 18.00 ERA in two relief appearances as a pitcher for the Cowboys during his freshman season. He redshirted his freshman season on the football team before giving up the sport to focus solely on baseball. In 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. As a sophomore, McLean batted .285 with 19 home runs and struck out 39 batters in 25+1⁄3 innings pitched. McLean was selected in the third round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles. The Orioles drafted him as a pitcher. McLean ultimately did not sign with the team and returned to Oklahoma State for his junior season. He hit .250 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs and went 1–2 with six saves and a 3.30 ERA in 14 pitching appearances during his junior season.
Professional career
McLean was selected by the New York Mets as a two-way player in the third round with the 91st pick of the 2023 Major League Baseball draft. He signed with the Mets on July 15, 2023, for the full slot value of $747,600.