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The New York Mets wasted no time in honoring Nolan McLean's first major defensive honor. On Sunday, the right-hander was named the 2026 National League Gold Glove Award winner for pitchers, and the club shared its excitement on social media.
"Nolan is Golden! Nolan McLean has won the Gold Glove for National League Pitchers!" the Mets posted on X, celebrating the achievement.
This marks the first Gold Glove of McLean's career, a fitting cap to an impressive first full season in the major leagues. He secured the award over fellow finalists Michael McGreevy of the St. Louis Cardinals and Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves.
Among NL pitchers, McLean finished third in defensive runs saved, trailing only McGreevy and Shota Imanaga of the Chicago Cubs. Gold Glove winners are selected through a combination of manager and coach voting (75%) and statistical metrics (25%).
McLean's contributions extended well beyond his glove. In 2026, he made 31 starts, compiling a 12-10 record with a 3.16 ERA, 194 strikeouts, and a 1.17 WHIP over 179 2/3 innings. He entered the season as a leading contender for NL Rookie of the Year after going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts following his August 2025 debut, and he remained rookie-eligible for 2026.
What McLean valued most, however, was his reliability. With injuries plaguing the Mets' rotation, he never missed a turn. "I think the biggest thing is just not missing the start," McLean said in September. "I try to take pride in going out there and competing every single time."
McLean was one of three Mets named Gold Glove finalists, joined by catcher Luis Torrens and rookie right fielder Carson Benge. Torrens lost to Gabriel Moreno of the Arizona Diamondbacks, while Benge was edged out by Moreno's teammate Corbin Carroll.
Key Analysis
The award provides a positive note in an otherwise frustrating season for the Mets, who fired manager Carlos Mendoza midseason after a 34-47 start and missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year under replacement Andy Green. Nevertheless, McLean's emergence offers a promising foundation for the team heading into 2027, and continued development could lead to more accolades.
Originally reported by yahoo.