The New York Mets strategically preserved Nolan McLean’s rookie eligibility for 2026, allowing him to remain in the running for the NL Rookie of the Year award next season. The honor, however, has become about more than individual recognition. When a team places a rookie on its Opening Day roster, the Prospect Promotion Incentive can come into play. If that player wins Rookie of the Year or finishes among the top three in MVP or Cy Young voting before becoming arbitration eligible, his team can receive an additional draft pick. The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves each benefited from the rule following the 2025 performances of Hunter Brown and Drake Baldwin.
Can McLean win Rookie of the Year? He’ll have plenty of competition, including fellow top contender Sal Stewart and his own Mets teammate, Carson Benge.
There may not be an organizational incentive attached to another award McLean is chasing, but he remains in the mix for something else, too. Expecting him to receive serious Cy Young consideration might be a stretch. A Gold Glove, however, appears well within reach. No NL starting pitcher has accumulated more Defensive Runs Saved than McLean. His three errors do lead the league, but he also tops all pitchers with 24 fielding assists.
Nolan McLean’s biggest Gold Glove competitor
If McLean doesn’t take home the Gold Glove, Michael McGreevy could be the favorite among NL pitchers. McGreevy matches McLean with five DRS but has committed zero errors and leads the league with four double plays turned. While he may not be in the same class as McLean as a pitcher, his defensive numbers give him a slight edge.
Logan Webb captured the Gold Glove last year after leading the NL with seven DRS. David Peterson was also a finalist with six DRS and posted a perfect fielding percentage in 2025. Interestingly, Peterson led the league with five errors in 2024 and is now tied with McLean for the most errors by a pitcher this season with three.
Webb did commit one error in 2025, but his second consecutive season leading the league in assists, combined with his one additional DRS, was likely enough to sway voters in his favor. His victory also extended the Mets’ Gold Glove drought. The franchise has not had a player win the award since Juan Lagares in 2014. This year, McLean is a legitimate contender, though he could ultimately find himself settling for second place.
Luis Torrens may actually be the Mets’ most realistic candidate to end the drought. His biggest obstacle is simply playing time. As the team’s backup catcher, his limited starts could work against him, although voters shouldn’t necessarily view it that way. In fact, leading the league in DRS despite receiving fewer opportunities than everyday catchers should only strengthen his case.
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