🚨 BREAKING: Jonah Tong’s Development Takes Center Stage as Mets Look to Expand His Arsenal for 2026 👇

New York Mets pitcher Jonah Tong made a highly anticipated MLB debut in 2025, following a stellar career in the minors, particularly with Double-A Binghamton, where he posted an impressive 1.59 ERA across 102 innings. Despite a promising start to his big league career, Tong’s performance was more of a rollercoaster ride. His debut against the Miami Marlins showcased his potential, as he struck out six batters and allowed just one earned run in five innings. However, Tong’s performance soon dipped, and he finished the season with a 7.71 ERA over 18.2 innings.

The Struggles and Weaknesses in His Game

Despite the flashes of brilliance, Tong struggled in the big leagues, largely due to his limited pitch arsenal. In his first season, Tong primarily relied on just two pitches: a four-seam fastball and a changeup. His fastball accounted for 57.4% of his pitches, while his changeup was used 27.5% of the time, with the occasional curveball thrown in for good measure.

However, the lack of pitch variety became evident, especially when both his changeup and fastball frequently found their way to the heart of the strike zone, allowing hitters to capitalize on these predictable offerings. Tong’s limited pitch mix was a major factor in his inconsistency, and it’s something that the Mets are already working to address as they develop him further for the 2026 season.

Mets Focus on Expanding Tong’s Pitch Arsenal

Recognizing the need to diversify his pitches, the Mets are actively working with Tong to add a new weapon to his repertoire. According to Keith Law‘s latest Top 100 MLB Prospects list for The Athletic, Tong is ranked No. 72 and has the potential to become a mid-rotation starter if he can successfully add a competitive breaking ball to his arsenal.

One of the key focuses of Tong’s development is to create a pitch that will allow him to attack more parts of the strike zone, something his fastball and changeup fail to do consistently. The Mets are working with Tong to develop a slider or sweeper that can provide more lateral movement and add more dimensions to his pitching profile.

As Keith Law noted, Tong’s current pitching style is very north-south, typical of over-the-top pitchers. He used to rely more on a downward-breaking curveball in the minors, but now the Mets are pushing him to develop lateral movement with a slider or sweeper that will force hitters to think in four directions rather than just the two they are used to.

Learning From Nolan McLean: A Model for Expansion

Interestingly, the Mets are looking at another pitcher in the organization as a model for Tong’s development: Nolan McLean. While McLean and Tong have vastly different arm slots and fastball movement profiles, McLean’s success in using a diverse pitch mix could serve as a blueprint for Tong’s growth. McLean’s six-pitch arsenal, which includes both a sweeper and two-seamer, has been incredibly effective, as seen in the videos shared by Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja).

The Mets believe that by diversifying his pitches, Tong can become more of a threat on the mound, similar to how McLean has become a key piece for the organization.

Tong’s Commitment to Improvement

Tong is fully aware of the work ahead of him and has reportedly chosen not to participate in the World Baseball Classic to focus on spring training and his battle for a spot on the 2026 roster. At just 22 years old, Tong is still young and has plenty of time to develop into a key part of the Mets’ pitching staff. Despite the pitching logjam created by the recent Freddy Peralta trade, which also brought Tobias Myers from the Milwaukee Brewers, Tong’s rookie status remains intact, and he still has time to show the Mets that he can be a future ace.

The competition for a spot in the rotation may be stiff, but the Mets’ focus on Tong’s development and his ability to add a diverse set of pitches will likely give him the opportunity to earn a spot in the 2026 starting rotation.

Looking Ahead: Tong’s Bright Future

Once Tong’s arsenal is fully developed and he masters his new pitches, it won’t be long before he is one of the top young pitchers in the Mets’ rotation. With his electric stuff and continued dedication to improving his game, Tong has the potential to make a massive impact for the Mets in the near future.

The Mets have made it clear that Jonah Tong is a significant part of their future, and if he can refine his craft over the next season, he could soon emerge as one of the team’s most exciting young pitchers. As the Mets continue to build a championship-contending roster, Tong’s development will be key to the team’s success in 2026 and beyond.