The Storied Life of Jonah Tong

[G-Fafif]

”I love being a Met. It's truly one of the coolest things I've ever done in my entire life."

 

That was Jonah Tong, at the Mets holiday party for kids today, in his elf costume, no less (Clay Holmes was Santa; Nolan McLean and Brandon Sproat also dressed up and helped out). Jonah is 22. One wonders how many cool things he’s done in his entire life that being a Met ranks merely among them.

In any case, this quote was the first contemporary Met tidbit to make me smile in weeks, maybe months.

[metirish]

I absolutely love this kid and want him to stay and succeed.

[Edgy MD]

Looking at this shot is one of the coolest things I've ever done in my life.

[smg58]

I absolutely love this kid and want him to stay and succeed.

 

Me too. I'd hate to think they would bring him in for this party and then deal him shortly thereafter.

[Gwreck]

I believe they did that with R.A. Dickey in 2012. (In fairness, it was a great trade).

[Edgy MD]

Also, Tong, Sproat, and McLean as a trio of elf helpers is a nice, subtle touch.

[ashie62]

It seems counterproductive to trade Jonah Tong for a chip to get a better shot of winning a wildcard three bid

[Centerfield]

I like Tong a lot. I like the stats I’m reading in the minors and am enamored with his potential. I like his personality a lot. But I also recognize that he’s a kid. And he’s going to have to mature some if he’s going be successful in the bigs. But if all goes right, he can be a beloved Met. Kinda like David Wright.

I’m also realistic about the improvements he will have to make to excel in the bigs. I can’t ignore the handful of starts that we saw. His fastball is good. I don’t know that it will dominate big league hitters like it did in the minors. His secondary pitches and control are not there yet.

Can he get there? Sure. But it’s no sure thing.

The one thing I know is he has incredible value right now. Do you use him as part of a package for Skubal? Ok. But not for a rental of Nick ****ing Pivetta or any relief pitcher.

[MFS62]

Looking at that picture makes me want to go to a chiropractor. Articles I’ve read about him say that deceptive delivery helps his not off the chart stuff. But I wonder if it will be an advantage long term.

Later

[Edgy MD]

He was the best pitcher in the minors last season, out of over 3,500 dudes.

[Centerfield]

Exactly. Which is why you don’t trade him for Nick Pivetta.

[smg58]

Or Joe Ryan.