Nolan McLean is ready for the World Baseball Classic final.
Despite struggling in the US’ final game of pool play versus Italy — who he may face again in the championship — he’s not shying away from the spotlight.
“Obviously I got clipped there a couple times with the homer, but overall, (I) felt really good,” McLean said Monday in a press conference. “I think as a competitor…if you work your whole life at something, you want to be put in these spots. So it’s a dream come true to be able to get the ball in such a big moment. It’s something I want to do.”
McLean added that playing for Team USA is an “unbelievable experience,” and he thinks players that turned it down “are crazy.”
The comments come after U.S. starter Tarik Skubal pitched one game for the Americans in pool play before heading back to spring training in an effort to stay healthy during a contract year.
The Twins’ Joe Ryan was also reported to be heading to the squad for the championship before he backed out.
“You’re crazy if you don’t want to do this,” McLean said. “Just getting the opportunity to put ‘USA’ on your chest and go out there and compete with the best players in the world, it’s an unbelievable experience for me.
“As a competitor, I want to go out there and compete and try to put my team in the best spot when I do come out of the game.”
In McLean’s first WBC start versus Italy, he gave up three runs across three innings en route to an 8-0 start for the Italians in a shocking 8-6 loss. The defeat forced the U.S. to rely on Italy to beat Mexico to advance to the quarterfinals, which it did.
Since then, though, the Americans have rebounded when it mattered the most. The U.S. defeated Canada 5-3 in the quarterfinals and squeaked past the Dominican Republic 2-1 in the semifinals to make the championship game for the third consecutive time.
Elite pitching and defense held down the Dominicans’ juggernaut lineup. Paul Skenes’ four-plus innings of one-run ball started the party, then five relievers combined to snuff out Team Dominican Republic’s fire.
McLean said some of his Mets teammates — including pitcher Christian Scott — may travel down to Miami for Tuesday’s game. namely.
McLean impressed in his rookie season with the Mets last year.
Across eight games, he posted a 2.06 ERA, striking out 57 and walking 16. He’ll still have rookie status entering the 2026 campaign.
But first, he’s set to represent his country.