At this point in the season, building positive momentum entering the offseason is a priority. With the Mets 13 games under .500 with 31 to go, looking to 2027 and the pieces that can help should be the focus. One of them is Nolan McLean, who has been excellent for an extended run. The young right-hander had another strong performance in the Mets’ loss to the White Sox on Sunday.

McLean got off to a fast start, retiring eight of the first nine hitters he faced. He got into some trouble in the bottom of the third, loading the bases with a hit and two walks. But he escaped by striking out Andrew Benintendi looking. McLean kept Chicago’s lineup off balance, allowing no more hits for the rest of his outing. He threw six innings, allowing no runs on one hit and four walks, striking out six across 92 pitches.

“I feel good; I wouldn’t say stronger or any better than I felt to start the season. Every time I go out there, I’m trying to learn, and hopefully doing a better job of that,” McLean said postgame.

Since June 30, he is 5-3 with a 1.97 ERA across 59 1/3 innings. McLean has thrown at least six innings in nine of 10 outings over that stretch, a run that includes nine quality starts. That should not go understated. McLean experienced a few bumps in the road earlier in the season. But right now, he is pitching at an elite level.

Through 34 career big league starts, McLean is 14-9 with a 2.93 ERA. Entering next season, he undoubtedly will be one of the frontline starters in their rotation. He has earned that title, given the consistency he has shown since he debuted last summer. The continued development of Christian Scott and McLean has been one of the few bright spots of a disappointing 2026 Mets team. It puts their rotation in a much better spot going into 2027.

Is McLean ready to be the ace of the staff? I think that will be a question many will ask over the next weeks and months. The noise about trying to sign Tarik Skubal will only grow as the fall and winter approach. But right now, it’s important to appreciate what McLean has become. The Mets have a future All-Star starter developing at the top of their rotation.