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2022 MLB Draft: #81 Overall Nolan McLean


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#1 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:07 PM

P, Oklahoma State

 

MLB.com: 

 

One of the better two-way prospects in the 2020 Draft, McLean also wanted a chance to play quarterback in college and turned down overtures from pro teams to enroll at Oklahoma State. After not getting on the field for the Cowboys' football team in his first year on campus, he decided to focus on baseball. Few players in this Draft can match his combination of raw power and arm strength, though he has had an up-and-down year at the plate while setting an NCAA Division I record with 107 strikeouts. Scouts initially preferred McLean as a pitcher but that changed in his senior season as a North Carolina high schooler when he cleaned up his right-handed swing and his body. His bat speed and strength allow him to produce high exit velocities and make him a threat to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. But he also struck out at an alarming rate this spring and struggled to make contact even against fastballs, and when he did put the ball in play he hit it on the ground far too often. Though he's a well below-average runner, McLean has the hands, reactions and work ethic to become an average third baseman. There are no questions about his arm, which delivers fastballs up to 98 mph and a pair of breaking pitches (downer curveball, power slider) that have a chance to become plus offerings. He's averaging nearly two strikeouts per inning as a high-leverage reliever for Oklahoma State and evaluators are beginning to wonder if his future might be brighter on the mound.


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#2 BSLSteveBirrer

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:10 PM

Guessing the O's see him as a pitcher too.



#3 TwentyThirtyFive

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:14 PM

Was announced as a pitcher. So while the book may not be completely closed on the bat I think its safe to assume the Os are betting on the arm


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#4 Mackus

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:19 PM

Kind of like Givens but tall, maybe?  It was so much fun watching Givens defend from the mound.  



#5 BobPhelan

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:20 PM

Was announced as a pitcher. So while the book may not be completely closed on the bat I think its safe to assume the Os are betting on the arm


Mid-high 90’s fastball and two high spin breaking balls. Teach him a change-up and stretch him out.

#6 Slidemaster

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:21 PM

He didn't start in college? Do they envision him as a reliever?

#7 Slidemaster

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:21 PM

I can only imagine they view him as valuable foe the raw tools. The resume isn't that strong.

#8 Mackus

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:25 PM

He's a draft-eligible sophomore.  Will turn 21 on Sunday.



#9 TwentyThirtyFive

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:25 PM

Mid-high 90’s fastball and two high spin breaking balls. Teach him a change-up and stretch him out.

Yeah wish I could see more video of him on the mound but sounds like the stuff is good.



#10 BSLChrisStoner

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:29 PM



#11 dude

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:42 PM

Just ridiculous.  Totally absurd.  What are the Orioles thinking?  They must hate winning.



#12 Slidemaster

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:50 PM

Just ridiculous. Totally absurd. What are the Orioles thinking? They must hate winning.


This is tongue in cheek I assume?

#13 Mike B

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:53 PM

P, Oklahoma State

 

MLB.com: 

 

One of the better two-way prospects in the 2020 Draft, McLean also wanted a chance to play quarterback in college and turned down overtures from pro teams to enroll at Oklahoma State. After not getting on the field for the Cowboys' football team in his first year on campus, he decided to focus on baseball. Few players in this Draft can match his combination of raw power and arm strength, though he has had an up-and-down year at the plate while setting an NCAA Division I record with 107 strikeouts. Scouts initially preferred McLean as a pitcher but that changed in his senior season as a North Carolina high schooler when he cleaned up his right-handed swing and his body. His bat speed and strength allow him to produce high exit velocities and make him a threat to drive the ball out of the park to all fields. But he also struck out at an alarming rate this spring and struggled to make contact even against fastballs, and when he did put the ball in play he hit it on the ground far too often. Though he's a well below-average runner, McLean has the hands, reactions and work ethic to become an average third baseman. There are no questions about his arm, which delivers fastballs up to 98 mph and a pair of breaking pitches (downer curveball, power slider) that have a chance to become plus offerings. He's averaging nearly two strikeouts per inning as a high-leverage reliever for Oklahoma State and evaluators are beginning to wonder if his future might be brighter on the mound.

Sounds like he is an athlete, who does a little of everything.  I am guessing he is going to be a pitcher for the Orioles..


@mikeghg

#14 dude

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 01:55 PM

This is tongue in cheek I assume?

 

We just hadn't had any outrage to rage against.   More meltdowns required. 

 

That would have been the best part of drafting Berry 1-1....the meltdowns!



#15 Slidemaster

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Posted 18 July 2022 - 02:05 PM

We just hadn't had any outrage to rage against. More meltdowns required.

That would have been the best part of drafting Berry 1-1....the meltdowns!


I would have taken Berry over Lee, and the industry evidently agreed with me.




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