Jason Foster, Jared Greenspan and Brian Murphy of MLB.com took a look at the players leading the gold glove races, and Nolan McLean made the cut for the National League Pitcher Gold Glove award. Per MLB.com, “McLean’s five Defensive Runs Saved are tied for second most among NL pitchers, behind only the Braves’ Brent Suter. He could be the first Mets player — pitcher or otherwise — to win a Gold Glove Award since Juan Lagares in 2014.”

If McLean were to win, he would be only the eleventh Mets player to win the award while a New York Met. The last pitcher to win the Gold Glove Award as a Met was Ron Darling in 1989.

What Mets Have Won Gold Gloves?

As mentioned, Juan Lagares was the most recent Met to win a Gold Glove when he won it for center field in 2014. Before him was Carlos Beltrán in 2008. He won three Gold Gloves in the outfield with the Mets, one in 2006, one in 2007, and the final in 2008. David Wright also won the Gold Glove Award in 2007 and 2008, which he won for third base.

The 90s saw two Mets win Gold Gloves, with Rey Ordóñez winning it as a shortstop in 1997, 1998, and 1999. Robin Ventura won his final gold glove as a Met, winning the third base award in 1999.

In the 1980s, Keith Hernandez won the first base Gold Glove every year with the Mets from 1983 through 1988. Doug Flynn won the second base gold glove in 1980.

Bud Harrelson won the shortstop Gold Glove in 1971, and the first Met to ever win a Gold Glove award was Tommie Agee in 1970 when he won it for the outfield.

What Benefits Does Winning the Gold Glove Award Net McLean?

The Gold Glove Award gets added to the player’s résumé, and they do get a physical award they can display. The Gold Glove Award does not come with a direct cash prize, but it is possible, though unlikely, that McLean could have negotiated it into his pre-arbitration contract for 2026. The award is something he could use to try to improve his standing when he enters arbitration heading into the 2029 season.

Whatever the outcome, his standing here is another sign showing how successful his rookie season has been.