Mets Take OSU’s Nolan McLean in 3rd Round of 2023 MLB Draft

The New York Mets selected right-handed pitcher/outfielder Nolan McLean today in the third round, 91st overall, of the 2023 MLB Amateur Draft out of Oklahoma State University (OSU).

The Baltimore Orioles drafted the 6-foot-4, 214-pound two-way player last year in the third round but declined to sign him after viewing his post-draft MRI.

In 2020, McLean bypassed a potential seven-figure payday to play quarterback and baseball. So he opted to enroll at OSU to do both instead of entering the draft.

Most professional teams believe he is better suited for the bump, with a fastball that has reached 98 MPH, and a plus slider that runs in the mid-80s. McLean’s curve ball is a work- in-progress pitch.

However, Mclean prefers to hit, displaying speedy exit velocities and fantastic raw power to all fields with a combination of bat speed, strength and leverage, according to scouts.

But the North Carolina native will need to cut down on his long swing and aggressive approach, which resulted in a NCAA record-setting 107 strikeouts as a sophomore, when he whiffed a high 44 percent of the pitches he offered at, at the plate.

Furthermore, he is not fleet of foot, but owns a strong arm.

— Jerry Del Priore