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.

MLB has seen many great pitchers since 1913. There have been multi-time Cy Young winners, All-Stars and standout rookies. Yet, McLean accomplished a feat that hasn't been seen before in the history of the sport.

By the time Nolan McLean returned to the mound Friday for the fourth inning — a danger zone for Mets starting pitchers — he had plenty of latitude.

Once adamant that being a two-way player was his destiny, McLean abandoned the bat in favor of the ball before this season. It has resulted in him climbing the prospect rankings, earning a promotion to Triple-A in May and now a call to the big leagues.

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.