The World Baseball Classic, a premier MLB event that has been around since 2006, features the best baseball players from around the world. Many of the players are accomplished 30-something year olds with multiple all-star games under their belt, and gold glove awards sitting on their mantle. Playing in the WBC and having the opportunity to scrap and claw for your country with a national audience, is often a career-long dream.
For Team USA, the odds-on favorite to win the tournament, prospect Nolan McLean will make a meaningful impact for his country at just 24 years of age.
The right hander is one of just six of MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects heading to the WBC. Even more impressive, McLean made the prestigious Team USA roster and is expected to be a starting pitcher. He will be in the same rotation alongside Cy Young winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. While Mets fans had the opportunity to see him start a few games in August and September, the entire baseball world will now be able to see McLean.
As arms such as David Peterson and Kodai Senga start to age through their 30s, the young kids must begin to step up at Citi Field. McLean and fellow stud prospect Jonah Tong need to develop efficient, strike-heavy outings to let New York’s strong diamond work in the offensive half of innings.
Nolan McLean will represent Queen’s squad on the World’s stage.
