The Mets made headlines this winter with a bold move to stabilize their starting rotation, acquiring All-Star Freddy Peralta and swingman Tobias Myers from the Brewers. It was a clear statement of intent: New York is aiming to contend, and they needed a frontline arm to lead the charge. But while the deal cost them two high-upside prospects in Jett Williams and Brandon Sproat, the most revealing part of the trade might be who wasn’t included.
According to reports, the Brewers wanted 22-year-old right-hander Jonah Tong in the package. Mets president David Stearns flat-out refused.
That decision speaks volumes. It’s not just about protecting a promising arm-it's about what the Mets believe Tong can become.
In fact, the organization appears to view him as a potential mirror image of the very pitcher they just brought in. Think of Tong as a Freddy Peralta in the making: electric fastball, deceptive movement, and the kind of raw stuff that could anchor a rotation for years to come.
Tong’s Fastball: A Rising Force
Tong’s fastball doesn’t light up the radar gun the way some top prospects’ do-he sits around 95 mph-but the pitch plays way above its velocity. In limited MLB action last season, hitters managed just a .275 expected batting average (xBA) against it. That’s not elite yet, but it’s a strong indicator of how “invisible” the pitch can be when it’s on.
Much like Peralta in his early days, Tong’s heater has that rising action through the zone that makes it hard to square up. It’s the kind of pitch that looks hittable until it’s past you. And while it’s not touching triple digits, it doesn’t need to-the late life and vertical ride make it a legitimate weapon.
But there’s a flip side. In his 18.2 innings of big-league work, Tong posted a 4.34 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.
The fastball-heavy approach-he threw it nearly 60% of the time-wasn’t enough to keep hitters honest. Without a consistent breaking ball to pair with it, MLB hitters adjusted.
They sat on the fastball and dared him to beat them with something else.
The Syracuse Blueprint: Build the Arsenal
That’s where Triple-A Syracuse comes into play. The Mets aren’t rushing Tong back to the majors. Instead, they’re giving him time to refine the rest of his arsenal-particularly his breaking pitches-before unleashing him again.
The Vulcan changeup is already a real weapon. It generated a 22.2% whiff rate last year and held hitters to a .234 xBA.
That’s big-league quality. But the curveball?
Still a work in progress. He threw it just 12.4% of the time, and it lacked the consistency needed to be a true out pitch.
That’s the next step.
If Tong can develop that third pitch-something he’ll get every opportunity to do in Syracuse-he’s not just a rotation piece. He’s a potential ace.
He struck out 13.11 batters per nine innings in Triple-A last season, and that kind of swing-and-miss stuff doesn’t grow on trees. It’s a rare blend of movement, deception, and raw ability.
Ceiling vs. Floor: Why the Mets Chose Tong
Trading Sproat hurt. He’s a polished arm with a high floor and a path to the majors that feels pretty straightforward.
But Tong offers something different: upside. Real, top-of-the-rotation upside.
His fastball movement profile is unique-something you can’t coach or replicate. If he figures out how to land that curveball early in counts and keep hitters guessing, he’s not just making starts in July-he’s leading this rotation by 2027.
That’s why Stearns shut the door on including him. In a deal that brought in a proven ace, the Mets made sure to hold onto a potential one of their own.