Garner's McLean Gets the Ball for Team USA
March 17, 2026
Brandon Halll
NC / Mid-ATL Director of Scouting
From Garner to the Global Stage: Nolan McLean
When Team USA takes the field tonight in the World Baseball Classic Championship, a familiar name across North Carolina baseball circles will be on the mound. Nolan McLean, a Garner HS product and the No. 2 player in the state’s 2020 class, gets the ball in a moment that feels like a natural progression for a player we’ve tracked for nearly a decade.
Our early looks at McLean never fit neatly into one box. Even as a young prospect, there was a presence — physical, athletic, and confident — with real power showing up in the bat and a fastball already pushing into the upper-80s. He wasn’t just a baseball name either, drawing attention as a quarterback, which only added to the intrigue. By the time we saw him on the national stage at USA Baseball events, the profile had only grown louder. Big arm, big power, and the kind of raw traits that made you believe both sides of the game had a chance.
As McLean moved on to Oklahoma State, those same traits continued to flash, often in different ways depending on the look. There were stretches where the power at the plate took center stage — loud contact, carry to all fields, and the ability to change a game with one swing. At the same time, there were consistent reminders of the challenges that come with length and leverage in the swing. Opposing that, every look on the mound seemed to simplify things. The arm worked. The fastball had life. The slider missed bats. What started as complementary value on the mound began to feel more and more like the clearest path forward.
That didn’t stop the two-way story. Even as roles shifted — moving across the field defensively and eventually leaning fully into baseball — McLean continued to show value on both sides. There was always a sense that the athleticism and strength allowed him to impact the game in multiple ways, even as the industry began to settle on the arm as the carrying tool.
Now, that long-evolving profile lands him on one of the game’s biggest stages. From early high school looks in North Carolina to national events, to the Big 12, and into pro baseball, McLean has consistently offered glimpses of impact — sometimes with the bat, often on the mound, and always with a presence that stood out.
Tonight, he gets the ball with a title on the line.
Best of luck to Nolan McLean and Team USA.
 |
Nolan McLean RHP / 3B / Garner, NC / 2020
Prep Baseball Coveage - High School and College Notes
2/18/23
The power hitting prospect has shifted from third base to the right field this season where his arm strength/raw power/defense tools profile well. During the Showdown he showed much more plate discipline with six walks against just two strikeouts compared to a 37/107 ratio in 242 at-bats last season. He also blasted a three-run home run to center field to put the Pokes back in the Vandy game, cutting the score to 11-8. It was a loud shot, one that needed earplugs from my seat. McLean is also a power prospect on the mound with a fastball up to 96 and a plus slider. He strong-armed Missouri for two strikeouts in the ninth inning to earn the save in State’s 5-3 win on opening night. I remain much more bullish on his abilities transferring into a big leaguer as a pitcher than hitter. He’s a third round prospect on the mound at this point.
7/10/22
2022 MLB Draft: Sophomore-eligible by age, McLean is athletic and some kind of strong. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds he combines this strength with length in his swing to produce big power to all fields with left center field his best at plus-plus. He has the look in the batter's box as a bad pitch slugger much more than one with pure hitting skill. He did show some pitch recognition skill, but with the excessive length in his swing he struggles to catch up to good fastballs. The right-handed slugger impressed in 2022 with 19 home runs and a .285 batting average, but 107 strikeouts in 242 at-bats (36.9% K rate) severely limit his projection at the next level. His plus arm strength at the hot corner plays down a grade with below average accuracy, especially when throwing on the move, however it is with this arm strength where he projects best in the long-term – on the bump. Showing a plus slider and life on his heater that can reach 97-98 mph, McLean struck out 39 in 25.1 IP this season. He profiles as a late-inning power arm in a Major League bullpen. At this point in his collegiate career, he is a third to fourth round talent, but his signability will play the largest factor in his ultimate selection in this year's draft.
3/05/22
McLean is athletic and some kind of strong. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds he combines this strength with length in his swing to produce big power to all fields with left center field his best at plus-plus. Other than his first at-bat of the Gonzaga series when he swatted an oppo taco off Zag's ace Gabe Hughes, McLean had the look in the batter's box as a bad pitch slugger much more than one with pure hitting skill. He did show solid pitch recognition skill, but with the length in his swing he struggled catching up to good fastballs which the Zags threw a lot of. Defensively, McLean got off to a rough start on the first batter of the series, mishandling a chopped grounder to third base, but his range and glovework improved on Saturday with a couple strong plays to his left into the â…š-hole. His plus arm strength played down a grade with below average accuracy, especially when throwing on the move. Long-term he may profile better to right field or first base, but looks to have the work ethic and grind-ability to make himself into a playable defender at the hot corner at the pro level. He is built similar to Major Leaguer Todd Frazier (Rutgers/CIN/NYM/PIT) and profiles similarly with value at the infield corners. With a current college career slash of .263/.404/.520 and twice as many strikeouts as walks (70 SO/ 35 BB) he still has much to prove at the plate before top round consideration is warranted.
7/25/21
Cape Cod- McLean got a late start to his summer while nursing a sore lat, but he made a loud impression in his eight-game stint, hitting two home runs and driving in six, while working nine walks against 12 strikeouts. With a rare combination of athleticism and physicality, the 6-foot-4, 210-pound football/baseball talent really stands out for his power. Holliday said McLean's righthanded pop reminded him of former Oklahoma State great Pete Incaviglia (whom Holliday coached in the 1980s). He also has surprisingly good pitch recognition and plate discipline considering his two-sport background and lack of reps relative to his peers. He profiles well at the hot corner, where he showed the ability to make impressive backhanded plays and handle slow dribblers in front of him, thanks to a very strong arm. After hitting eight homers in just 137 at-bats as a true freshman, McLean looks poised to bust out in a big way as a sophomore in 2022, and he's an obvious first-round talent for the 2023 draft.
7/15/18
PBR was on hand in Chicago for the USA Baseball NTDS. Potential dual guy with extreme raw power and a big arm on the bump. Also being recruited at high levels as a football player. Physcial "manchild" has a presence in the box and on the mound. Extremely advanced batspeed with a lot of movement and a load that can start and stop. Swing and miss is present in game situations against upper level arms. On the mound it is raw but it is big velo, up to 94 and sitting 91-92.
7/15/17
Strength is present in a young frame. Coils the front side slightly at balance as the arm works in a short, loose action to load the scapular. High-3/4 slot lacks a consistent release point, but tends to improve as the outing lengthens. Arm side run to the fastball, ranging 86-89, touching 90 at times. Slider is hard with late tilt, but still maturing to be consistent.
3/28/17
Athletic frame and is also a QB prospect according to Garner Coach Goffena. Demonstrated power with a sacrifice fly, driving the ball to the well. Has the ability to use the entire field as well. Setup is balanced and athletic with a crouch and a slightly open stance. His load is smooth and back with a short stride to balance. Nolan’s bat speed is fast with a short level path. He has a fluid rhythm and displays a confidence beyond his years. Ball carries with ease from behind the dish. Has been up to 88, with better reports, on the bump this spring.
|
Recent NC News
