The Mets’ top prospect (MLB Pipeline’s No. 76 overall) spun five scoreless innings on Thursday, striking out seven. He and Triple-A Syracuse took home a 2-0 win over Rochester at ESL Ballpark.
Perhaps most importantly, Tong walked just two batters, tied for his fewest in a start this month. The 23-year-old righty also topped out at 97.9 mph on his fastball, which tied for his fastest pitch this season.
Tong worked around a one-out walk in the first inning and a leadoff single in the second. He then retired the side in order in the third.
The fourth may have been his best work, as after a leadoff double, he buckled down for three consecutive strikeouts, all on his changeup. He had to win long battles in the process, using seven, 11 and six pitches to get the K’s.
Tong finished up his day by walking the first batter in the fifth but erasing it with a ground-ball double play. He struck out the final batter he faced with a 95.6 mph fastball.
Tong threw 89 pitches in total, 56 of them for strikes. His seven punchouts all came on either his four-seamer (four) or his changeup (three).
COMPLETE METS PROSPECT COVERAGE
The Canadian has now allowed two or fewer runs in each of his past three starts, turning in a 3.65 ERA across five July starts. He’s making an argument for a potential call-up after the Trade Deadline for the Mets, especially if New York ships out any of its current rotation members.
Tong made three big league appearances earlier this year as a long reliever. He did not allow an earned run in his first two outings before giving up four, including a home run, in his final appearance. Tong debuted in 2025, making five starts with a 7.71 ERA.
