McLean batted .263 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs and had a 0–1 record with a 18.00 ERA in two relief appearances as a pitcher for the Cowboys during his freshman season.[3] He redshirted his freshman season on the football team before giving up the sport to focus solely on baseball.[4] In 2021, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham Anglers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5] As a sophomore, McLean batted .285 with 19 home runs and struck out 39 batters in 25+1⁄3 innings pitched.[6] McLean was selected in the third round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft by the Baltimore Orioles.[7] The Orioles drafted him as a pitcher.[8] McLean ultimately did not sign with the team and returned to Oklahoma State for his junior season.[9] He hit .250 with nine home runs and 29 RBIs and went 1–2 with six saves and a 3.30 ERA in 14 pitching appearances during his junior season.[10]