"If I can have a few more clicks on the heater, it never hurts. A lot of the guys gave me a hard time throwing pretty hard, pretty soon. When I get on a mound and a guy's standing in there, something just clicks in my brain where I've got to start competing. As soon as the batter stands in there, even if he's not swinging, I've got to throw my best stuff."
"His presence on the staff over more seasoned veterans isn't just a bet by general manager Michael Hill and manager Mark DeRosa, it's an acknowledgment that McLean's success in that initial MLB stint last fall is real enough to make him worthy of the assignment that otherwise would have gone to Skubal."
"He might spin the baseball better than anyone in the world, his curveball breaking a major league-best 26 inches and his sweeper runn"
Nolan McLean, a 24-year-old Mets pitcher, has impressed teammates with fastball velocity reaching 97-98 mph during spring training, nearly 2 mph faster than the previous year. Despite having only eight major league starts, McLean earned a starting assignment for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic knockout stage. His selection over more experienced veterans reflects general manager Michael Hill and manager Mark DeRosa's confidence in his abilities. McLean's exceptional spin rates, particularly his curveball with 26 inches of break, position him as a valuable asset in USA's rotation alongside established pitchers. His competitive drive and love for pitching fuel his rapid development and readiness for high-stakes international competition.
Read at ESPN.com
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