Instead of being a seventh-round pick who was signed by the New York Mets for $226,000, Jonah Tong now appears to be a fantastic first-round pick.
After being selected 13th overall (No. 209 in the seventh round) in the 2022 MLB Draft, the Canadian right-hander was able to sign that contract. That provided him with 226,000 reasons to abandon his North Dakota State college commitment and pursue a career in professional sports.
Tong’s motion is strikingly similar to that of two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, whose performance this season for the Double-A Eastern League’s Binghamton Rumble Ponies mimics Lincecum’s early 10-year results after the San Francisco Giants selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2006 Draft.
Tong leads the EL with 72 strikeouts. In just forty-four innings, they have arrived. On May 10, 13 were in a flawless 6 2/3 innings. In the second game of a doubleheader, which lasted seven innings, he threw 99 pitches and struck out all 20 Reading opponents he faced. The first perfect game in the history of the team and the first in full-season affiliate baseball since September 1, 2017, was achieved by roommate T.J. Shook, who fanned the last hitter.
Tong made 18 swing-and-miss attempts while throwing 61 pitches for strikes.
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Manager Reid Brignac told The Athletic, “Man, it was very difficult (to pull him).” It was really, really challenging. Based on his pitch counts and his most recent appearance, we had a strategy for him for the day. Giving him the chance to pitch in the major leagues and fostering his growth are the goals of the lower leagues.
