A Kids Game
The New York Mets starting pitchers are once again, in a flux. Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza delivered another unfortunate update to Mets faithful, announcing that Frankie Montas has a “significant” UCL injury and will be shut down for the season.
Many hoped Montas would find the same reinvented success that Sean Manea, Luis Severino, and Griffin Canning (prior to his achilles injury) found under the watchful eyes of pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and president of baseball operations David Stearns, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
Montas was already a late addition to the Mets this season as he dealt with a strained right lat injury at the beginning of the year, debuting on June 24th. In 7 starts, Montas pitched to the tune of a 6.28 ERA, and a 1.60 WHIP. With few options for starting pitching available for the Mets, Mike Puma of the New York Post reported, “Jonah Tong’s name is entering the conversation for this season.”
For those who do not know, Jonah Tong is the #2 prospect in the Mets organization. In 13 starts for Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Tong recorded a 1.59 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and 162 strikeouts. Tong also pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the MLB All Star Future’s Game, where he said coaches told him to “Keep it simple. It's a kids game.”.
An oversimplification, but when you rack up strikeouts as Tong does, consistency and process are king. Tong’s numbers jump off the page and with the continual addition of a changeup pitch to his repertoire, he looks to continue to wow people, whether that be in interviews showing different pitch grips* or impressing in 2 starts with Triple A affiliate club, the Syracuse Mets.
While pitching in Syracuse, Tong, in 2 starts has posted a 0 ERA, struck out 17, a 0.94 WHIP and limited batters to a .190 average. Tong has drawn comparisons to Tim Lincecum with his high arm angle delivery and a 4 pitch mix featuring a 4 seam fastball, a curveball, a slider, and a changeup.
Tong’s arm angles per ProspectSavant, sits at 35.3 degrees and the consistency in release points from Tong’s second start in Syracuse may remind Mets fans of a certain late ound pitcher.
With the success of recent call up Nolan McLean, an infusion of youth may be the answer for the Mets starting rotation woes and a chance to overtake the Phillies for the National League East.
*8 minutes 11 second mark.