The New York Mets may be struggling as a team, but one bright spot is shining so brightly that the baseball world is taking notice. Right-hander Nolan McLean has emerged as the overwhelming favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award, according to a recent poll of MLB experts.

While the Mets sit at 15-25 and have underperformed after moving on from stars like Brandon Nimmo and Pete Alonso, McLean has been a beacon of consistency. The 24-year-old made his MLB debut late last season and immediately impressed, going 5-1 with a 2.06 ERA and 57 strikeouts in just eight starts. That strong finish carried into this season, where he's continued to dominate.

In the poll, McLean received 23 first-place votes, far outpacing Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart, who managed just six. MLB.com's Jason Foster highlighted McLean's elite numbers: he leads all qualified NL rookie pitchers in strikeouts (57), strikeouts per nine innings (11.32), WHIP (0.90), and opponents' batting average (.180). His 2.78 ERA ranks second among rookies.

Through his first eight starts this season, McLean is 1-2 with a 2.78 ERA and has already matched his strikeout total from last year. He's effectively become the Mets' ace, outperforming veteran right-hander Freddy Peralta, who has pitched more like a mid-rotation arm. For a team in need of hope, McLean is delivering it—and the Rookie of the Year hardware could be next.