#pitcher-workload

#pitcher-workload

If there was a non-Juan-Soto bright spot that emerged from the New York Mets' disastrous 2025 campaign, it was the emergence of Nolan McLean. The organization's top pitching prospect dazzled in his five-week MLB debut, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA in eight starts while setting some significant records along the way. Team USA came calling this week, as they added the 24-year-old to their roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, which runs from March 5-17.

"And I think you guys are seeing, and I don't want to revisit this, but the one guy we've been very mindful of is Shohei, as far as script. "But everyone else, I think if you look at the second half, we push guys. We're in a pennant race. It's not about their health, we need to win games, and I got to look at who is the best option."

The complete game is all but dead -- no pitcher has more than one nine-inning complete game this season. One hundred pitches is now viewed as the top limit for a pitch count, with pitchers rarely exceeding 110 -- Randy Johnson had more 110-pitch outings just in 1993 than every starter combined in 2025. Pitchers get more days off between starts. And the list goes on.

I feel really good. Velocity, not that tells the whole story, but it tells a lot of it. And it's in a really good spot,