Despite the New York Mets’ underwhelming season so far, they do have some good news for the future. Nolan McLean’s strong performance currently places him second in the NL Cy Young race behind Paul Skenes, making him one of the breakout stars of the 2026 MLB season.
Paul Skenes, the reigning defending champion, is comfortably leading with 27 first-place votes. Although his strikeout rate has dipped slightly, his 2.48 ERA and elite WHIP (0.72) keep him as the pitcher to beat.
Meanwhile, Nolan McLean sits in second place with 6 starts, a 1–2 record, a 2.55 ERA, 45 strikeouts, and a 0.85 WHIP, establishing himself as one of the top standout arms of the season.
This intriguing race also includes candidates such as Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. In the American League, the undisputed frontrunner remains Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, who is aiming for his third consecutive Cy Young Award.
Paul Skenes #30 of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mets already know what it means to win the Cy Young Award
The New York Mets boast a storied history with the Cy Young Award, with four different pitchers combining for a total of seven trophies. The legacy began with Tom Seaver, who secured the honor three times (1969, 1973, 1975), followed by Dwight Gooden’s legendary Triple Crown season in 1985.
In 2012, R.A. Dickey made history as the first knuckleballer to win the award, while Jacob deGrom dominated the league with back-to-back wins in 2018 and 2019. Now, with Nolan McLean emerging as a top contender in 2026, the franchise looks to add another name to this elite list of pitching greats.
Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets.
Is Nolan McLean the future in Queens?
Analysts and scouts widely regard Nolan McLean as the centerpiece of the Mets’ pitching future, with MLB Pipeline ranking him as the No. 6 overall prospect entering the 2026 season. After successfully transitioning from a two-way player to a full-time pitcher, he has earned the nickname “Cowboy Ohtani” due to his elite extension and a devastating sinker-sweeper combination that generates a 60.2% ground ball rate.
National media outlets currently project him as a frontrunner for NL Rookie of the Year, while national analysts have highlighted his ability to maintain elite velocity and command over a full starter’s workload. By anchoring the top of the rotation alongside veterans, McLean is viewed not just as a high-upside arm, but as a legitimate homegrown ace capable of leading the franchise’s long-term championship window.
Paul Skenes remains the face of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Paul Skenes is off to a dominant start in the 2026 season, solidifying his status as the Pirates’ ace. Through his first six starts, he has been highly effective on the mound, consistently delivering strong outings and limiting opponents with excellent command.
He has already shown his dominance early in the season, striking out 30 batters over 29 innings pitched and emerging as one of the most reliable arms in the rotation, including a standout performance on April 24 where he took a perfect game into the 7th inning against the Brewers.
