Nolan McLean has started his MLB career brilliantly. In fact, it's hard to start much better than the New York Mets' rookie right-handed pitcher. Nobody in MLB history has begun a career quite like McLean has. The criteria that makes that true through his first two starts, via OptaStats: McLean was sharp on Friday night against the Atlanta Braves.

WASHINGTON — Ask a New York Mets pitching coach about Nolan McLean, and eyes get wide.

Right-handed pitcher Nolan McLean, the Mets' No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, will make his Major League Baseball debut on Saturday at an inopportune time, with his team mired in a horrific slump and All-Star Bryan Woo on the mound for the opposing Seattle Mariners.

The first pitch was a ball. The second, Rodríguez lined toward McLean, who fielded the ball on one hop behind his back, and then had the presence of mind to throw to second for a chance at a double-play.

Nevertheless, McLean instantly proved he belonged with 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball and eight strikeouts against a solid Mariners lineup. He made their hitters look foolish over and over again mostly with his sweeper and curveball.