Mets' Nolan McLean Wins Gold Glove
Rawlings named the Mets rookie pitcher the National League's top defensive pitcher, ending the franchise's 12-year Gold Glove drought.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Baseball
Rawlings named Nolan McLean the National League Gold Glove winner at pitcher on Sunday. The award ended the Mets' 12-year Gold Glove drought and makes McLean the first Mets rookie to win a Gold Glove at any position.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes McLean's defensive contributions during his first full season as a Major League pitcher. It also marks the second Mets pitcher to win the award, following Ron Darling in 1989.
McLean recorded 4 Defensive Runs Saved and three pickoffs in 2026, and allowed six steals while going 12-10 with a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts. The stats do not explain how the voters weighed these defensive metrics against other candidates.
The players
Nolan McLean
A New York Mets pitcher who was a two-way player at Oklahoma State before reaching the Major Leagues.
Rawlings
A sporting goods manufacturer that selects the annual Gold Glove Award winners.
The details
McLean, a full-time pitcher who played six positions as a two-way player at Oklahoma State, earned the award for steady defensive play. Juan Lagares won the Mets' last Gold Glove in 2014, and the franchise now has 21 Gold Gloves in total.
Timeline
Sunday: Rawlings announces McLean as the NL Gold Glove winner at pitcher.
Nov. 9: The Rookie of the Year announcement is scheduled.
Season Trajectory
McLean's award places him in a short line of Mets pitchers recognized for defense, following Ron Darling's 1989 honor. It also breaks a 12-year drought in franchise Gold Glove winners that began after Juan Lagares's 2014 award.
McLean's defensive value, including four Defensive Runs Saved and three pickoffs, gives fantasy managers a specific reason to consider his glove when weighing pitcher rosters. The award also signals a stronger defensive profile for the Mets' rotation heading into next season.
The takeaway
McLean's Gold Glove shows that defensive value for pitchers can be recognized even in a rookie season. Fans tracking pitcher defense should look beyond ERA to metrics like pickoffs and runs saved.
What happens next
The Rookie of the Year announcement will take place Nov. 9, when McLean's season will be weighed alongside competing candidates such as Cincinnati's Sal Stewart.
Further reading
For more on the Mets' season, see Baseball coverage across New York City.
