The New York Mets are making a bold move to boost their pitching staff. After reports emerged that they would call up their No. 4 prospect Jonah Tong, manager Carlos Mendoza announced the 22-year-old right-hander would start Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins for his MLB debut.
Mets to Call Up Prospect Jonah Tong for Planned Friday Debut
Friday night’s starter: @tong_jonah ? pic.twitter.com/5SjT28AkUd
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 26, 2025
A native of Canada, Tong ranks as the No. 4 Mets prospect per MLB Pipeline, and 44th overall in MLB. He was a seventh-round draft pick in 2022 out of Bill Crothers Secondary School in Markham, Ontario. Since then, he has worked his way up the Mets system in an impressive way, pitching to a 2.54 ERA across three seasons at all levels from Rookie ball to Triple-A. He has split time this season between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse. In 22 combined starts (20 at Double-A), Tong has a 10-5 record with a 1.43 ERA, 0.924 WHIP, and 179 strikeouts to only 47 walks in 113 2/3 innings.
The Mets need all the pitching help they can get as September nears, and with Tong’s outstanding performance in the minors, they felt it was time to give him a shot in the big leagues. Also, with Frankie Montas out for the season due to a UCL injury, a rotation spot is now open for New York. This was just the latest in a spate of injuries to the Mets staff. In addition to Montas, Griffin Canning is out for the season, and Kodai Senga and Sean Manaea have missed time. With those two, it can be touch-and-go even when they’re on the active roster.
It is unknown how long a leash Tong will get to start his big league career. However, if he comes close to the dominance he is enjoying in the minor leagues, he may go deep into the game both on Friday and in subsequent starts.
Main Photo Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
