Nolan McLean Becomes First Rookie Pitcher to Win a Gold Glove in MLB History

Nolan McLean continues to make history.

The former Oklahoma State pitcher earned the Gold Glove Award, highlighting the top player from each defensive position. McLean is the first rookie pitcher in MLB history to win a Gold Glove. He’s also just the second New York Mets pitcher to win it.

McLean logged a 3.16 ERA in 31 starts this season, with 194 strikeouts in 179.2 innings pitched and 1.17 WHIP. He tallied +4 DRS which ranked fifth among major league pitchers and had 16 putouts and 24 assists.

Overall, he ranked in the Top 10 in ERA (9th), walks and hits per inning (10th), hits per nine innings (4th), strikeouts per nine innings (8th), innings pitched (6th), total strikeouts (7th), bases on balls (5th), home runs per nine innings (6th) as well as about 10 other stats that factor into your ability to shut people down.

Here’s some of his highlights from this past season.

Nolan McLean makes history! 🌟

The @Mets’ former two-way player becomes the first rookie pitcher in @MLB history to win a Gold Glove. https://t.co/p1CZaRA1aj

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 2, 2026

McLean wasn’t the only Poke in the conversation.

Carson Benge, another former Cowboy and current Met, was a finalist for the Gold Glove for best right fielder in the MLB. Benge was named the “most valuable arm in baseball,” according to Statcast’s Arm Value. He had 259 putouts and 10 assists from the outfield this season.

Benge ranked in the top 10 in a slew of defensive categories himself. He led the National League with 10 assists, and ranked among the best in double plays as a right fielder (1st), double plays as an outfielder (3rd) and assists as an outfielder (3rd).