The Mets organization believes right-hander Tong could debut before the end of 2025 because of rotation needs and exceptional minor-league performance. Tong, a seventh-round pick in 2022, has risen into top-100 prospect territory with Baseball America ranking him 42nd and MLB Pipeline 44th midseason. He posted a 1.43 ERA and a 40.5% strikeout rate across 113 2/3 combined innings at Double-A and Triple-A in 2025, including 11 2/3 scoreless frames in Syracuse. Concerns include a 10.6% walk rate and modest velocity (91–94 mph), but his unusual delivery and a fastball with heavy break can befuddle hitters. The Mets could use him as a spot starter during a long, crowded late-season stretch.
There is some feeling within the Mets organization that right-handed pitching prospect could make his MLB debut before the 2025 season is up, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports. Tong only just made his debut with Triple-A Syracuse on August 16 and hadn't been projected as "a consideration for the Major League roster this year," Puma writes, but "that stance has changed in recent days."
Naturally there's some risk in bringing the 22-year-old up to the Show in such relatively rapid fashion, and Tong's 10.6% walk rate stands out as a potential weakness to be exploited by big league hitters. That said, Tong's unusual delivery could also leave some hitters baffled, not to mention his plus fastball that has a ton of break if relatively little velocity (in the 91-94mph range).
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