Born in Stockport, Iowa, and nicknamed "Nubbin", he stood 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg).

Originally signed by the St. Louis Cardinals after his 1940 graduation from Stockport High School, McLeland was named the 1950 "pitcher of the year" in the Double-A Texas League,[1] as he won 21 of 29 decisions and compiled an earned run average of 2.49 in 267 innings pitched for the unaffiliated Dallas Eagles franchise.

In his only starting role in MLB, against the Chicago White Sox on September 9, 1951, he allowed four earned runs in 4+2⁄3 innings and took the loss in a 4–3 defeat.

[3] During his brief Major League service, McLeland allowed 24 hits, 13 runs (all earned), and ten bases on balls in 13+2⁄3 total innings of work; he failed to record a strikeout.

He settled in Houston, Texas, after his baseball career ended and spent 35 years working for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.