🚨 JONAH TONG’S ROOKIE STRUGGLES: SHOULD THE METS ALTER HIS PITCHING REPERTOIRE? 👇

The New York Mets are dealing with a growing debate over the development of Jonah Tong, their No. 48-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline, after his rough start to his MLB career in 2025. Despite a strong minor league campaign, Tong struggled at the major league level last season, posting a 7.71 ERA over 18.2 innings in five starts, with 22 strikeouts in September.

At just 22 years old, Tong showed a lot of promise coming through the minors, but his MLB debut left more questions than answers. So what went wrong, and what’s next for the young Canadian pitcher?

Tong’s Struggles: A Blip or a Sign of Bigger Issues?

In his short time with the Mets last season, Tong’s performance wasn’t what the team expected after his dominant minor league showing. His fastball was his go-to pitch, with a high release point (standing at 6’1″), which allowed for an impressive 19.8 inches of vertical break—a major strikeout weapon. His secondary pitches—particularly the changeup and curveball—served as complimentary tools, but it was clear that he couldn’t fully find his rhythm in the MLB rotation.

Despite his struggles, former Mets player Jerry Blevins believes that the 2025 season was just a “blip on the radar” for the young pitcher. “He’s 22… I think it was just a ‘happy to be here,’ deer-in-the-headlights moment,” Blevins said, suggesting that Tong’s nerves played a role in his struggles, rather than a deeper issue with his potential.

Blevins added that Tong’s mechanics—specifically his high release point—are part of what made him so effective in the minors. Altering his pitching repertoire could disrupt his natural movement and hurt his best asset: his fastball’s rise. Blevins is against changing too much about Tong’s pitching style, especially since he’s had success with what he has.

Should the Mets Tinker with Tong’s Repertoire?

There has been growing chatter about the Mets’ plans to develop a sweeper for Tong. According to Keith Law of The Athletic, the Mets are reportedly looking to add a sweeper to his arsenal, which would require significant changes to his mechanics. But this is where Blevins voiced concern.

“I really don’t like them messing with his repertoire, especially trying to get a guy with such a high release point,” Blevins explained. He believes that adding a sweeper or vertical-moving slider could lead to significant changes in Tong’s mechanics, potentially disrupting the effectiveness of his fastball.

While the Mets may see the addition of a sweeper as a way to diversify Tong’s pitching arsenal, Blevins argues that Tong’s current repertoire—which includes his fastball, changeup, curveball, and slider—is already strong and effective. The question is whether the Mets should focus on refining these pitches instead of trying to rework his entire delivery.

Where Should the Mets Focus in Tong’s Development?

Instead of altering his entire pitching approach, Blevins suggests that the Mets should focus on improving Tong’s changeup, which is his secondary pitch. Modeled after Tim Lincecum’s changeup, Tong’s offering sits in the mid-80s velocity range, but consistency in release point is key. If Tong can dial in his changeup and create more trust in his secondary pitches, he’ll be able to keep hitters off-balance while continuing to rely on his fastball’s impressive rise.

“Let the kid pitch. Let him figure out how to be effective,” Blevins emphasized. This advice aligns with the sentiment that Tong’s success is more about trusting his natural abilities and making small adjustments rather than major overhauls.

Tong’s Rise and Potential: The Road Ahead

Despite his MLB struggles, Tong’s minor league numbers have been exceptional. In 2024, he posted a 3.03 ERA across 113 innings in three different minor league levels, impressing scouts with a 34.2% strikeout rate. His numbers only improved in 2025, where he went 10-5 with a remarkable 1.43 ERA for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and Syracuse Mets, earning significant attention as one of the top pitching prospects in the organization.

With his potential, Tong is still seen as a promising arm for the Mets’ future, but the next steps in his development will be crucial. The Mets’ decision on whether to tinker with his mechanics or refine his existing repertoire will have a significant impact on his future in the big leagues.

The Mets’ Long-Term Plan: Patience or Progress?

The Mets are in a delicate position with Jonah Tong. With the success of other prospects rising through the ranks and the potential to develop a dynamic pitching staff, Tong’s future could either be a product of patience or an opportunity for adjustment.

Given his youth and impressive history, the Mets may need to approach Tong’s development with careful strategy. Keeping his mechanics intact while honing his secondary pitches could help him become a more well-rounded pitcher in the near future. Alternatively, pushing him to adopt a sweeper could derail his natural talent, and with his potential, it’s a gamble the Mets shouldn’t take lightly.