ANGRY MIKE - Nolan McLean Pitching Arsenal: SUPER GROK ANALYSIS

 

ANGRY MIKE

Nolan McLean has won his first 4 starts in decisive fashion, exhibiting poise, a tactical approach, and a lethal pitching arsenal rarely seen from a rookie pitcher, let alone veteran pitchers. Using A.I. we’ve compiled data on how McLean’s pitching arsenal stacks up with other top starting pitchers.

3 Categories of Graphics for comparing 5 of McLean’s pitches:

A. Compared to other Top Starting Pitchers

B. Compared to other Top Prospects

C. Compared to other Highly Rated Pitches

CURVEBALL 

Key Insights

• Spin and Movement: McLean’s 3,279 rpm and 18.4” horizontal break exceed most (e.g., Cole’s 8.9”, Cease’s 3.2”), resembling a slurve with elite spin; IVB (13.1”) provides solid drop but less than Cease’s (15.6”).
• Velocity: Low-80s aligns with Cole/Burnes/Skubal but trails Skenes’ harder version, aiding deception via fastball contrast.
• Effectiveness: Whiff rate (41.7%) and BA against (.091) are elite, outperforming most despite small sample; high active spin contributes to movement sharpness.
• Style Differences: McLean’s has massive sweep and drop (high active spin); others like Cole emphasize curve depth, Skenes velocity with less break. Low usage for some (e.g., Skubal 2.5%) indicates secondary role.

Nolan McLean’s curveball is thrown at 80.0 mph with 3,279 rpm spin, 18.4 inches of horizontal break (glove-side), 13.1 inches of induced vertical break, 96% active spin, 41.7% whiff rate, 18.2% usage, and .091 batting average against in 2025. It earns a 70 scouting grade and 125 Stuff+ (95th percentile MLB), marking it as elite based on scouting reports and debut performance. 

SLIDER

Nolan McLean, features a sweeper-style slider as a primary out pitch. It averaged 84 mph with 18” glove-side HB and 2” IVB, usage 25%, 38% whiff rate, and .180 BA against, generating chases with its sharp horizontal sweep. Overall, McLean’s slider compares favorably in raw stuff to top starters, potentially elite if command improves in his young career.

Key Insights

• Spin and Movement: McLean’s 2,995 rpm and 15.8” sweep exceed most starters (e.g., Sale’s 10.2”, Cease’s minimal break). This resembles elite reliever sweepers but is rare among starters for sustained use.
• Velocity: Mid-80s aligns with Gray/Sale but slower than Cease/Skubal’s harder versions, aiding deception via fastball contrast.
• Effectiveness: Whiff rate (25%) is solid but lower than Cease/Sale’s, possibly due to early MLB sample; high Stuff+ suggests potential growth.
• Style Differences: McLean’s is a pure sweeper (high horizontal, low vertical); others like Cease use gyro-style (bullet spin, less break but high whiffs via velocity). Sale’s slower slider relies on drop for outs.

4-Seam Fastball

McLean’s fastball sits mid-90s with peaks at 98 mph, from a low three-quarters slot (5.1 ft release). This flat approach deceives despite average spin (2200-2400 RPM). Added arm-side run (10-15 inches) improves effectiveness. Vs. MLB elites like Skenes (higher velo/spin), it’s deceptive but lacks premium IVB (16-18 inches). Strength: Slot deception. Weakness: Average IVB.

Key Insights

• Spin and Movement: McLean’s 2,293 rpm and 15.1” ride are solid but below elite levels (e.g., Cease’s 16.5”, Skenes’ high run at 14.4” but low ride). This suits a starter role but lacks the raw dominance of harder throwers.
• Velocity: Mid-90s aligns with Burnes/Sale but trails Cease/Skubal/Skenes, aiding tunneling with offspeed pitches.
• Effectiveness: Whiff rate (25%) and BA against (.225) are average; higher IVB suggests potential for more swings-and-misses if located up in the zone.
• Style Differences: McLean’s has modest run and good ride (high active spin); others like Skenes emphasize run from low release, Cease velocity and ride. Sale’s relies on ride from low slot.

2-SEAM FASTBALL

Key Insights

• Velocity: McLean’s 94.6 mph is competitive, slightly below Burnes/Wheeler but above Webb. Reports indicate he touches 98 mph, suggesting upside.
• Movement: His 16.1” HB matches top-tier run (e.g., Wheeler’s 17.6”), while 2.5” IVB shows elite sink (only Webb has more drop at 0.3”). This profile excels at ground balls, similar to Valdez/Webb.
• Usage and Effectiveness: Lower usage than Valdez/Webb but higher than Burnes/Wheeler. Whiff rate is modest, but low BA against (.136) outperforms all, indicating weak contact. Burnes uses it sparingly as a setup pitch.
• Overall: McLean’s sinker compares favorably in velo and movement to these aces, with better suppression of hits than groundball specialists like Webb/Valdez. As a rookie, it has star potential if paired with his elite spin on breaking balls.

CHANGEUP

Key Insights

• Spin and Movement: McLean’s 1,950 rpm and 12.5” fade align with Burnes/Skubal, but trail elite faders like Skubal’s 15.4”; IVB (5.2”) provides solid drop, similar to Cease’s (6.0”).
• Velocity: Mid-80s matches Tong/Skubal but slower than Skenes’ 90.5 mph version, aiding tunneling with his fastball.
• Effectiveness: Whiff rate (28%) and BA against (.220) are solid, comparable to Burnes but below Skubal/Tong’s elite marks; moderate usage suggests secondary role.
• Style Differences: McLean’s has good fade and drop (solid active spin); others like Skubal emphasize massive run with low spin for deception, Skenes velocity. Low usage for Cole (4%) indicates tertiary pitch.

As you can clearly tell from the data, McLean is in rare company, featuring at least 5 pitches that will grade out as plus, and multiple pitches that will grade out as PLUS-PLUS!

The best part about this young hurler is he was a RELIEVER in college, tallying a total of 57 innings across 3 seasons, that needs to be highlighted because it shows his mutant-power ability to develop one of the best pitching arsenals in the M.L.B. literally in 1.5 years since being drafted. 

Nothing more exciting than seeing a future “ACE” establish himself, sit back and enjoy the show…

ANGRY MIKE THINK TANK INITIATIVES