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The New York Mets are not requesting Jonah Tong to increase his velocity. They’re not requesting that he abandon his delivery. They’re not even expecting him to completely change who he is.

According to John Harper of SNY, he’s being tasked with honing a single pitch.

That pitch could be the deciding factor in whether he evolves into a solid mid-rotation starter or ascends to an even greater role.

Last season revealed an important truth: Tong’s fastball-changeup duo has the potential to reach the big leagues, but it still lacks the polish needed to truly excel at that level. His vertical approach—a four-seamer soaring at the upper reaches of the zone and a changeup plunging below the barrels—proved too much for minor-league hitters to handle. In the major leagues, it turned into a familiar pattern.

As Tong struggled to find the strike zone with his curveball, batters made their necessary adjustments. They closed off one lane, prepared for the fastball, and pushed him into tough situations. The 7.71 ERA over five starts reflects more than just raw talent. It revolved around constrained forms.

That’s the moment the cutter takes center stage.

Why the Cutter Changes the Equation

Pitching coach Justin Willard has emphasized that the Mets are looking for Tong to incorporate a horizontal pitch to enhance his vertical approach. At this moment, his repertoire operates in a vertical plane. The cutter adds a new dimension with its east-west movement—presenting a fresh visual, altering the timing, and creating a unique challenge for batters.

This isn’t about piling on unnecessary details. It’s all about shaking up the traditional scouting reports.

Top-tier hitters don’t merely respond; they seek out trends. When a pitcher presents just two dominant pitches, opponents can devise their strategies in no time. As Andres Chavez from Empire Sports Media pointed out, if Tong can refine his cutter, he’ll be able to establish himself in the strike zone early in counts, forcing hitters to adjust rather than just waiting for the high fastball or ignoring the changeup.

Willard explained to SNY that even modest horizontal movement can create a significant effect when combined with clever deception. Tong’s elevated release point generates challenging angles for hitters. Introduce a pitch that tightens its grip on left-handed batters or veers away from right-handed hitters, and just like that, his entire arsenal of pitches opens up.

The fastball really stands out.
The changeup has a longer tunnel effect.
The curveball remains under the radar.

One pitch, a ripple through the game.

Development Over Urgency

The Mets’ ability to wait reveals the true narrative.

Manager Carlos Mendoza has emphasized that Tong’s potential remains significant. Crucially, the organization is said to have excluded him from any trade discussions concerning Freddy Peralta. Teams typically don’t handle pitchers they consider to be temporary bullpen options in that manner.

They recognize the qualities of a starter.

However, starting pitchers require tools to succeed.

Tong has recognized that major league batters compelled him to broaden his repertoire. He didn’t characterize last season as daunting. He characterized it as enlightening. When he took the field, he brought his competitive spirit. When he failed to comply, the league took disciplinary action against him.

The cutter embodies the idea of adaptation while staying true to one’s roots. The Mets aren’t dismantling his core; they’re bolstering it.

Given that his presence in the Opening Day rotation isn’t an urgent necessity, there’s room to nurture this pitch effectively — through side sessions, Triple-A outings, and in controlled settings where trying new things won’t impact the win-loss record.

If the cutter evolves into a true third option, Tong’s profile undergoes a significant transformation. Rather than relying on just a couple of pitches to face a lineup once or twice, he evolves into a master of sequencing, adept at working through a lineup three times. That’s the distinction between depth and impact.

The New York Mets are not counting on Jonah Tong to make any strides.

They’re crafting it, one pitch at a time.

Should that cutter falter, the next encounter with a hitter of Juan Soto’s caliber will transcend mere spring training significance.

This will serve as a preview.

Alvin Garcia Born in Puerto Rico, Alvin Garcia is a sports writer for Heavy.com who focuses on MLB. His work has appeared on FanSided, LWOS, NewsBreak, Athlon Sports, and Yardbarker, covering mostly baseball. More about Alvin Garcia