Blue Jays Tournament 12 Alumni Jonah Tong thriving in Mets’ minor-league system

Some Canadian content is floating around minor-league baseball as right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong is making noise in the New York Mets’ system. 

The Mets selected the Markham, Ontario native in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Bill Crothers Secondary School and he’s put together a breakout performance in his second full year as a professional.

Tong’s strong attributes were showcased playing for Crothers in the Canadian Premier Baseball League and during the Canadian Futures Showcase held by the Toronto Blue Jays. From here, he committed to North Dakota State University, which became a back-burner to the professional option. 

Leading up to the draft, Tong took his talents to a stint with the MLB Draft League. Powered by Prep Baseball Report, this league is a professional-type pool of players looking to land opportunities with Major League organizations. This opportunity showcased his mint repertoire and strong ability to compete on the mound. This fueled Tong’s seventh-round selection and signing bonus. 

His first full season as a pro in 2023 was spent between the Low-A St. Lucie Mets and the Florida Complex League. In the FCL, he displayed above-average attributes that pushed him to A-ball. With St. Lucie, Tong posted a 5.40 ERA in eight innings, recording 13 strikeouts and nine walks. Between the two leagues, Tong finished with 38 strikeouts and 22 walks in 21 innings of work. 

To start 2024, Tong showed that he was growing out of Low-A baseball and had the juice for the next stage. He recorded 36 strikeouts and five walks in 18 and 2/3 innings of work with a 0.00 ERA.

Tong was lifted to High-A with the Brooklyn Cyclones, where he went 5-4 with a 3.71 ERA and an impressive 110 strikeouts with only 38 walks. He totaled 146 strikeouts in 103 and 2 /3 innings between the two. In June, Tong recorded a whopping 11 strikeouts in his outing against the Aberdeen Ironbirds, the Baltimore Orioles affiliates.

On September 1st, Tong was called up to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Mets’ Double-A affiliate. Tong is currently ranked 10th on the Mets’ top prospect list and is a key player to watch in that organization. His work ethic and abilities will ensure that his rise to the next level will be smooth and impressive. Tong’s work in double-A will be one to pay attention to.