Mets' Fate Rests on Shoulders of Rookie Pitching Trio
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the New York Mets are turning to a trio of rookie pitchers: Brandon Sproat, Nolan McLean, and Jonah Tong. After Tong's struggles in Friday's loss to the Texas Rangers, Sproat and McLean will need to step up in a series that could determine the team's postseason fate.
Generation K Redux: Can the Kids Deliver?
The Mets are looking to their young pitching prospects, reminiscent of the "Generation K" era of the 1990s. The team hopes that McLean, Sproat, and Tong can solidify their place in a potential playoff rotation, provided the Mets secure their playoff berth. This evokes memories of Bill Pulsipher, Paul Wilson, and Jason Isringhausen, who were once viewed as the future of Mets pitching.
Jonah Tong: A Unique Pitching Profile
Jonah Tong, despite being listed at 6-foot-1, possesses a potent fastball, averaging around 96 mph and reaching 98 mph. His windup features a sharp downward arm stab and a cartwheeling throwing motion, giving him excellent extension. While some have compared him to Tim Lincecum, Tong differentiates himself with a four-seamer that exhibits exceptional rise, generating less than 10 inches of drop.
Tong's Arsenal: Fastball, Curveball, and Changeup
Tong's fastball has a unique spin axis, resulting in close-to-perfect backspin. He also throws a curveball and a changeup. His upper-70s 12-to-6 curveball gives Barry Zito vibes. The changeup has about 10 inches more arm-side run than his fastball. This is a Vulcan change that he learned off Instagram.
Groundball Machine? Tong's Surprising Tendencies
Despite the characteristics of his four-seamer, Tong surprisingly generated a high groundball rate in the minor leagues (52.9%). Tong attributes this to hitters needing to be ready for the heater, which may lead them to be over the top on any offspeed pitches. He believes the north-south approach is effective, allowing him to locate his fastball and curveball. His changeup has more arm-side run than his fastball.
Challenges and Competition
Tong will need to address his walk rate (10.6% in the minors) and avoid home runs, such as the three he allowed in his last start at Great American Ball Park. He is competing for a playoff rotation spot with Sproat and McLean. He says he's not bothered by the competition and he's happy to see his friends compete.
The Pressure of the Big Stage
As Tong prepares to face the Rangers, including Jacob deGrom, he emphasizes the importance of execution and not overthinking the challenge. Tong believes that focusing on execution makes the game a little bit easier.
High Stakes at Citi Field
The Mets have lost six straight to direct playoff rivals. Now, the spotlight shines on Jonah Tong. He'll take the mound against Jacob deGrom in deGrom's first start at Citi Field since his departure from the Mets three years ago. The stakes are high, and the stage is set to see what Tong is made of.
