Jonah Tong might not look like a prototypical starting pitcher in today’s game, but a sub-2.00 ERA in 22 starts between Double-A and Triple-A says otherwise. Now, the Mets are rewarding their top pitching prospect with a big-league call-up Friday night against the Miami Marlins.
With the Mets in the midst of a stretch of 16 games without an off-day and the starting pitchers still struggling to provide length, the club decided to add a sixth starter this weekend. Instead of using an opener in front of a bulk reliever in the middle of a playoff chase, the Mets are finally giving their pitching prospects some Major League looks.
“I think it’s all about him dominating the minor leagues,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday at Citi Field. “You could make the case that after Double-A, you want to give him a better look at the Triple-A level. But man, after a couple of outings, it’s hard to keep him there.”
Tong has made only two outings in Triple-A, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run in 11 2/3 innings. He was challenged at a higher level, needing 90 pitches to get through five innings in his first start with Syracuse on Aug. 16, but it was still an outstanding outing, with Tong limiting Rochester to only three hits and two walks while striking out nine. His last time out, he allowed five hits and one walk, and struck out eight in six innings of work, needing only 88 pitches.
In 22 total starts this season, Tong has gone 10-5 with a 1.43 ERA.
“This went fast for Jonah, but to his credit, he really conquered everything we put in front of him,” said Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. “He exceeded our expectations throughout this year, and he put himself in a position where he deserved to be considered for a day like this. Then ultimately, as we got into playing this week out and playing the next series out, it lined up well for him. He’s going to be on turn, he’s thrown the ball well in two starts in Triple-A and we’re comfortable giving him the ball.”
The strikeout numbers have been eye-opening. He’s struck out a total of 179 this season and fanned 162 batters in Double-A, 29 more than any other pitcher in Double-A and he hasn’t even made a start in that league in two weeks.
Tong is an unconventional prospect with an unconventional delivery. The Markham, Ontario native, Tong was committed to North Dakota State University before the Mets drafted him in the seventh round of the 2022 draft from his Canadian high school. At 6-1, 180 pounds with an over-the-top delivery, Tong is often compared to former Giants ace Tim Lincecum. Today’s starting pitchers are typically more in the mold of someone like Mets’ left-hander David Peterson — tall, sturdy and strong with a mid-to-high-90s fastball, a 3/4 delivery and a wide array of pitches.
Tong throws only four, a low-to-mid-90s fastball, a slider, a curveball and a changeup that he added this season. Scouts were somewhat surprised to see a good feel around the zone and fastball that plays well despite the velocity. An above-average changeup has been key this season.
“What’s impressed us the most is the speed with which he’s expanded his arsenal really effectively,” Stearns said. “He’s added a changeup this year that’s been really good. We’ve seen outings that have shown, I think, tremendous maturity on the mound. If something is not working, he’s then able to switch an approach and go to the slider more, throw a few more curveballs and allow himself to get through outings really successfully, even if he’s not following the exact plan that he thought he was going to follow when he went into the game.”
There are questions about his walk rate, which has come down significantly since his early professional days. Still, he walks nearly four hitters per game, and big league hitters might be inclined to lay off borderline pitches to make him work.
The biggest question, however, is whether his body will hold up over time. That’s a question for another day though, and not one the Mets are concerned with at the moment, especially since they may only use Tong for one start. Right-hander Brandon Sproat remains in the mix for a September call-up, which would bring the Mets total of homegrown starters to make their MLB debuts this season to four.
Nolan Mclean, Tong’s teammate with Double-A Binghamton, will make his third start Wednesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. Right-hander Blade Tidwell made four appearances (two starts) before the Mets traded him to the Giants as part of a package of prospects for reliever Tyler Rogers last month. Even three starters in one season is a win for player development.
There is considerable excitement around Tong’s promotion, even if it’s a one-night performance.
“He’s going to get an opportunity,” Mendoza said. “We’re getting to a point now where our job is to put the best guys out there, day in and day out, and the players that we feel are going to give us the best chance to win that particular day.
“So he’s going to get an opportunity on Friday, and then we’ll go from there.”
