Right-hander Nolan McLean has been selected as a recipient of the 2026 Rawlings Gold Glove Award. Rawlings made the announcement in a televised show on ESPN Sunday evening. McLean is the first New York Mets player to win the award since Juan Lagares in 2014. He is also the first pitcher to win a Rawlings Gold Glove award in their rookie season. Rawlings presents the award for defensive excellence each year. The voting process was conducted before the end of the regular season by players and coaches. No one could vote for their own player. The finalists — the top three vote recipients at each position — were announced on October 14.
Steady Growth
In 2026, McLean found success on defense from making steady growth. Across 31 appearances, he recorded four defensive runs saved which is tied for fourth in the league behind right-handers Michael McGreevy, and Tanner Bibee and lefty Shota Imanaga. McLean also tallied three pickoffs and allowed only six steals. Base runners only attempted to steal base eight times against him.
Nolan McLean is also in the running for NL Rookie of the Year with Mets outfielder Carson Benge, St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt and Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart. McLean received recognition for the award after going 12–10 with 194 strikeouts while posting a 3.16 ERA with a 1.169 WHIP and 3.0 WAR in his rookie campaign.
Making History
McLean is the first Mets player to win a Rawlings Gold Glove since Lagares in 2014. Prior to this point, the Mets had gone 12 seasons without having a player win the award. Only the Washington Nationals have a longer streak at 14 years.
Additionally, Nolan McLean is the second pitcher in Mets franchise history to win the award, joining Ron Darling who won it in 1989. In total, the Mets have 21 Gold Glove winners in team history. Recipients of the award include first baseman Keith Hernandez (1983-88), second baseman Doug Flynn (1980), shortstop Bud Harrelson (1971), third baseman David Wright (2007-08) and outfielder Carlos Beltran (2006-08).
McLean was the lone recipient out of three Mets players that were finalists for the Rawlings Gold Glove. Luis Torrens and Benge fell short to Gabriel Moreno and Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the race for NL catcher and right fielder.
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