Nolan McLean wins Gold Glove

On May 31, 2026, the Rawlings Gold Glove Awards were announced on ESPN, recognizing the outstanding defensive skills of three New York Mets players: Carson Benge in right field, Luis Torrens at catcher, and Nolan McLean as their starting pitcher.

Luis Torrens, a backup catcher, played in 86 games, posting 673.2 innings. His Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) was +12, Fielding Run Value (FRV) +10, and pop time 1.86 seconds, with a final WAR (WAR) of 2.1. Despite his strong performance, he was ultimately outdone by Seiya Suzuki of the Cubs, who had the second-highest DRS among right fielders.

Nolan McLean, the winner, shined in 31 games (179.2 innings) with +4 DRS (fifth among major-league pitchers), 16 putouts, and 24 assists. He faced only eight steal attempts during his appearances in 2026, showcasing his exceptional pitching abilities. This was his first Gold Glove, and he is also a strong contender for Rookie of the Year, with a final WAR of 3.5.

He is the first rookie pitcher to ever win a Gold Glove, a testament to his remarkable rookie campaign. Ron Darling is the only other Mets pitcher to have won this prestigious award, doing so in 1989.

Carson Benge, the other Mets representative, was voted for his outstanding arm strength, as measured by Statcast’s Arm Value metric. He played in right field for 134 games and 1,140.0 innings, with +6 DRS and +6 FRV, and a final WAR of 4.3. His defense was a key factor in his Rookie of the Year contention, alongside his powerful arm.