WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Nolan McLean made his first impression at major league camp when he won a 10-pitch battle against Juan Soto in live batting practice earlier this spring in Port St. Lucie.
Thursday, he started for the first time in a Grapefruit League game, giving up just a hit and a walk in four innings in a 5-0 win over the Astros at Ballpark of the Palm Beaches.
And the next time he takes the mound, it will be on an even bigger stage, as the 24-year-old, who impressed over eight starts after being called up to the Mets in mid-August, will be pitching for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
And according to Carlos Mendoza, you won’t see a difference in McLean in any of those settings. He’s ready for anything.
