Jonah Tong Stats & Scouting Report

IP	18.2
ERA	7.71
WHIP	1.770
BB/9	4.3
SO/9	10.6

Full name Jonah Reid Tin Chee Matthew Tong
Born 06/19/2003 in Markham, ON, Canada
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Georgia Premier
Drafted in the 7th round (209th overall) by the New York Mets in 2022 (signed for $226,000).

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Tong is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound righthander who has an average fastball, but a chance for an above-average or plus curveball. The pitch has big bending action and depth, and he lands it consistently as well. The changeup needs work and is currently a below-average pitch, but he could project as a back-end starter with more refinement.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 55/Average

Adjusted Grade: 45

Track Record: Tong burst on the prospect scene in 2024 when he struck out 160 batters in 113 innings. He followed with an epic 2025 season, mostly at Double-A Binghamton, in which he led all minor league pitchers with 179 strikeouts, a 1.43 ERA and a .148 opponent average. He was recognized as the BA Minor League Pitcher of the Year. The Mets called up Tong on Aug. 29.

Scouting Report: Tong’s game revolves around his fastball and the mechanics he uses to achieve its unique characteristics. His delivery was inspired by former Giants ace Tim Lincecum—a fellow smaller-statured, hard-throwing righthanded starter. Tong loads his arm in a similar fashion, with a deep arm plunge as he puts his weight on his back leg. Firing forward, Tong points his lead foot toward the first-base dugout and tilts his torso dramatically to achieve his high overhand arm slot. He gets incredible extension and true backspin on a four-seamer that yields more than 19 inches of vertical ride—one of the highest totals among minor league starters. Tong upped his velocity from 92 mph in 2024 to 94 in 2025 and developed a Vulcan grip for his changeup. The mid-80s pitch produced devastating results against minor league batters but did not have the same success in MLB. He throws occasional high-spin curveballs and sliders that have at least average potential. Tong’s effortful mechanics inhibit his command on all pitches, and he has run higher walks rates throughout his career.

The Future:Tong was 22 when called up following just two Triple-A starts, and his inexperience showed at times. He throws fastballs or changeups about 85% of the time and will need better command of those pitches or better breaking stuff to become a No. 3 starter. He will get another MLB look in 2026.

Scouting Grades Fastball: 65 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 40 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 45.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/High.

Track Record: Tong is a native Canadian who transferred to Georgia Premier Academy as a senior in 2022. The Mets drafted him in the seventh round, attracted to his riding fastball. Tong broke camp with an affiliate for the first time in 2024 and dominated at Low-A St. Lucie by not allowing a run to go with 36 strikeouts and five walks in 18.2 innings. The Mets promoted Tong to High-A Brooklyn in May and he finished the year with two starts for Double-A Binghamton. He led the Mets’ system with a 3.03 ERA, while his 34.2% strikeout rate ranked sixth in the minor leagues among pitchers with at least 100 innings.

Scouting Report: Tong does not have the top velocity in the system, but he has the best fastball. From a nearly straight overhand release, he imparts extreme riding life on his 90-94 mph fastball that has topped at 97. Tong averaged more than 20 inches of induced vertical break on his four-seam fastball in 2024, a top-10 value in the minors among pitchers who threw at least 500 fastballs. His velocity wavers, and adding strength to a lean frame could raise his average reading. Tong changes eye levels with a mid-70s curveball with extreme depth. The pitch stymied Class A hitters, but scouts expect advanced hitters to pick up the pitch better, especially because Tong throws it from a slightly different release point. His rotation potential hinges on rounding out his arsenal. Tong has added a slider and changeup in pro ball. His mid-80s slider shows potential with its movement profile, but a changeup is difficult to master from his arm slot. Tong’s control is fringe-average and may be inhibited by below-average athleticism.

The Future: Deception is a key element of Tong’s success and probably makes him more of a short-burst MLB weapon as a leverage reliever or swingman. A season in the upper minors awaits.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: .

Top 100 Rankings

Career Transactions

New York Mets selected the contract of RHP Jonah Tong from Syracuse Mets.
Syracuse Mets activated RHP Jonah Tong.
RHP Jonah Tong assigned to Syracuse Mets from Binghamton Rumble Ponies.
Syracuse Mets activated RHP Jonah Tong.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies activated RHP Jonah Tong.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies placed RHP Jonah Tong on the temporarily inactive list.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies activated RHP Jonah Tong.
Binghamton Rumble Ponies transferred RHP Jonah Tong to the Development List.
RHP Jonah Tong assigned to Binghamton Rumble Ponies from Brooklyn Cyclones.
RHP Jonah Tong assigned to Brooklyn Cyclones from St. Lucie Mets.
Brooklyn Cyclones activated RHP Jonah Tong.
RHP Jonah Tong assigned to St. Lucie Mets from FCL Mets.