Mets' Jonah Tong's next test may go long way toward seeing if club makes the grade
The Mets' Jonah Tong throws a pitch in the second inning during the 2025 All-Star Futures Game at Truist Park on July 12 in Atlanta, Georgia. Credit: Getty Images/Jamie Squire
Six weeks ago, Jonah Tong represented Double-A Binghamton at the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta. Talking about his unexpected route to MLB’s brightest minor-league stage, the ultra-gregarious Tong swerved through a number of topics, including what was on his mind months before being picked by the Mets as a seventh-rounder in the 2022 draft.
“I was more focused on passing the SAT, which I got a 1,250,” the smiling Tong said. “Very proud of that score”
That was nothing, however, compared to Tong acing his tests at Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse, the final exam lasting only two starts, a total of 11 2/3 scoreless innings (17 strikeouts). On Friday, he’ll be on the mound making his major-league debut against the Marlins at Citi Field, something that no one would have imagined when this season began — but absolutely had to happen for the Mets at this pivotal juncture.
“Combination of where a player is, development-wise, and then opportunity,” president of baseball ops David Stearns said Tuesday before the Mets’ 6-5 walk-off victory over the Phillies. “And this went fast for Jonah. But to his credit, he really conquered everything we put in front of him, and he put himself in a position where he deserved to be considered for a day like this.”
Despite Tong’s eye-popping strikeout totals, and dominance at these last two levels, with a 1.43 ERA and 14.2 K/9 rate over 22 starts, Stearns went against his own principles in promoting the organization’s No. 2 prospect so quickly. Stearns was way more cautious with Nolan McLean, who’s pitched like he should have been called up a month ago.
But as Stearns alluded to, this isn’t just about Tong. He also mentioned the “opportunity,” which is a euphemism for the worrisome state of the Mets’ starting staff. When Stearns reached for McLean, it was to replace the failing Frankie Montas, who soon flunked out of the rotation and now is likely headed for Tommy John surgery. Based on how McLean has shined so far, pitching to a 1.46 ERA in two starts, would anyone be surprised if he eventually gets the ball in a playoff game too?
Because when it comes to the Mets’ rotation, who can they trust? David Peterson is the rock, Clay Holmes is coming off an encouraging 6 1/3 inning start in Atlanta and McLean has been a revelation. The rest are dice rolls, and losing ones at that. Kodai Senga is wearing out their patience after Monday’s high-wire act, when he repeatedly dodged disaster through a nerve-rattling four innings. Afterward, manager Carlos Mendoza even went as far as to describe many of his pitches as “non-competitive,” about as harsh a condemnation you’ll hear from any manager these days.
The Mets’ faith in Senga seems to be at an all-time low, and Sean Manaea — last season’s ace — isn’t instilling much confidence, either. Manaea (5.01 ERA) showed improvement Tuesday night through four scoreless innings, but quickly ran into trouble in the fifth and had to be pulled with two outs and two on. Gregory Soto then cost him a pair of earned runs on Bryce Harper’s single, further tarnishing Manaea’s performance (zero walks, 8 Ks) as length (90 pitches) was again a concern.
“Getting some good results, but just taking a very long time to put guys away,” Manaea said. “I don’t really know what the fix is.”
Adding to the Mets’ recent desperation is the fact they’re only midway through a stretch of 16 straight games without an off day, and the not-so-small detail of clinging onto a wild-card spot by their fingernails. The Mets couldn’t try to plow through this gantlet with only five starters, especially after seeing the fragile Senga struggle on regular rest (for the first time since 2023). If Manaea remains shaky, the Mets can’t go through these next five weeks with only three-fifths of a rotation, which is why they hope Tong can be a magic bullet of sorts.
Neither Stearns nor Mendoza made any pledges about Tong sticking around beyond Friday, but that’s to be expected. As high as they are on Tong, it’s still an audition, and he’ll have to pass this test against the Marlins like anyone else would. Rest assured, however, that their inclination is to keep him in the rotation, and then figure out what to do with the weakest links.
“We’re getting to a point now where out job is to best guys out there, day in and day out,” Mendoza said. “The players that we feel are going to give us the best chance to win on that particular day.”
Obviously, the Mets are hoping Tong is one of those players, and his minor-league numbers suggest that’s certainly possible. But he’s still only 22, relying primarily on his lethal fastball-changeup mix, with a very limited Triple-A resume. That’s hardly a guaranteed formula, but it’s a risk the Mets are more than comfortable taking, especially after the doubt sown by some of the other starters.
“I think as you roll into the last month of the season, you want to have the best roster you possibly can,” Stearns said. “And we think Jonah has a chance to be among that. He’s earned the opportunity, so we’re going to give him the start and look forward to see how it goes.”
The affable Tong comes off as the kind of high-ceiling prospect that’s going to figure things out, one way or another. The Mets will have their fingers crossed.
David Lennon is an award-winning columnist, a voter for baseball's Hall of Fame and has covered six no-hitters, including two perfect games.
