On July 12, in the 10th round of the 2026 MLB Draft, the New York City Mets selected Dartmouth’s Nate Isler ’27, the 300th pick overall.
Hailing from Milton, Ga., Isler broke out sophomore year as a star pitcher on the College’s baseball team. Right-handed and with a fastball that reaches 97 miles-per-hour, Isler pitched 65 innings this season for 80 strikeouts and an All-Ivy Honorable Mention. He will join the ranks of the 21 Big Green alumni who have been drafted to the MLB since 2000.
Isler was unavailable for a live interview, but corresponded with The Dartmouth by email about the MLB draft process and his passion for baseball.
How did you get into baseball? Do you have any favorite memories playing baseball growing up, or any major inspirations?
NI: My dad [Jake Isler ’96] got me into baseball when I was five years old, and it was always my favorite sport. When I got older, my dad became my coach until I was 15 years old. He was my biggest inspiration as he also played baseball at Dartmouth, which always stuck in the back of my mind as a goal to chase. One of my favorite baseball moments early on in my career was at 12 years old, when my team won a big Travel Ball tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.
What made you come to Dartmouth?
NI: Once high school started, I began getting recruited by different schools to continue my baseball career at the collegiate level. One of the biggest things that my dad always emphasized to me when choosing where I was gonna go to school, was to go to a place where I could continue my baseball career while also working towards a top-notch degree. This helped me narrow my choices. The relationship that I developed with Coach Blake McFadden, the pitching coach at the time (now head coach), during the recruiting process was the determining factor into my decision to come to Dartmouth.
What is a highlight from your Dartmouth career?
NI: One of the highlights from my Dartmouth career was beating Harvard University on a walkoff to win the Ivy League Baseball Tournament during my sophomore year. I started that game and then my roommate, AJ DeMastrie ’27, had the game winning double.
Can you describe the process of getting drafted for the Mets?
NI: The entire draft process felt like it happened pretty quickly for me. I wasn’t really good enough to get drafted my sophomore year, but because of the coaching I received from Coach McFadden and Coach Jaren Hunter, I developed to a point where my arsenal was much more refined. Because of how quick the process felt, it was a lot easier to not get caught up in any of the “draft buzz” that was happening during the season. I was able to focus on being the best version of myself every time I went out there.
How do you feel about this next step in your career? What are you looking forward to?
NI: I am super excited and fired up to be a part of the Mets organization, and I am ready to get to work. Mostly, I am looking forward to being able to put 100% of my effort into baseball without having to worry about studying for midterms or writing final papers. It has always been a dream of mine to make it to the major leagues. I know the road ahead is long and far from guaranteed, but I’m grateful for every opportunity to keep chasing that dream.
What does baseball mean to you? How has that changed since you started playing?
NI: Baseball has always been such a huge part of my life, and I can’t imagine a world where it isn’t. Even as I begin the next chapter and pursue it professionally, baseball will always be the game I first fell in love with in my backyard at five years old. That’s where my passion started, and it’s something I’ll always carry with me.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
