While one prime Mets pitching prospect made a stellar debut in Queens on Saturday, another did so up in Syracuse.
Jonah Tong, who was called up to Triple-A Syracuse on Sunday, was nothing brief of dominant in his first look during Saturday’s 5-0 win over the Red Wings, the Nationals Triple-A affiliate.
Tong, 22, threw 5 ²/₃ shutout innings, permitting just three hits alongside with 9 strikeouts and two walks.
The right-hander — who is the No. 2 Mets pitching prospect, according to MLB Pipeline — posted a dominant 1.59 ERA with Double-A Binghamton and struck out 162 across 20 begins.
Tong — whom the Mets drafted in the seventh spherical in 2022 and is thought of a step behind pitching prospects Brandon Sproat and Nolan McLean — informed The Post earlier this month that he does not fear about when he will get called up to the massive leagues.
“That’s not up to me. I [understand] it all,” Tong informed The Post’s Mark Sanchez. “Just going to be where my feet are. … It’s easy when you think of it that way, when you just control your controllables.”
Jonah Tong pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings in the Syracuse Mets’ 5-0 win over the Rochester Red
Wings on Aug. 16, 2025. @SyracuseMets / X
Jonah Tong throws a pitch during the first inning of a spring coaching recreation against the Nationals. Diamond Images/Getty Images
The Markham, Ontario, native has seen a large enchancment in contrast to his tough begin across Rookie and Low-A ball two seasons in the past when he posted a mixed 6.00 ERA through 21 innings.
“I think I’ve gotten stronger,” Tong said. “I’ve gotten mentally stronger as well. We’ve tweaked some pitches here and there. … But I honestly think just getting more experience and dealing with some adversity along the way has just helped me put myself in this position.”
Earlier on Saturday, McLean had an spectacular debut for the Mets, throwing 5 ¹/₃ innings of shutout ball, permitting just two hits with eight strikeouts and 4 walks.
McLean, who is the No. 1 Mets pitching prospect, was called up to the majors after posting a 2.45 ERA across Double and Triple-A this season.
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