Dishes prospector Jonah Tong is apparently one of the best players to know as New York navigate the commercial market.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Saturday that the 22-year-old right-hander “is highly coveted in trade talks,” with the Mets valuing Tong “highly” but “listening.”
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Right-handed companion Nolan McLeanas for him, “is considered prohibited” with the outfielder Carson Benge “close to that,” Heyman added.
McLean and Benge are the highest-ranked prospects in Joe De MayoIt is top 30 off season for SNY. Tong is fourth behind infielder/center Jett Williams.
Tong went 2-3 with a 7.71 ERA in five starts last season. He rose through the ranks of the Mets farm system, starting the year with Double-A Binghamton before moving to Triple-A Syracuse in August and New York at the end of the month.
Tong’s MLB debut on August 29 against the Miami Marlins was a 19-9 win for the Mets. He allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out six and walking none.
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His next four starts were mixed. Tong’s last outing, a 10-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs, saw him last two innings while giving up five runs on seven hits with two walks for a strikeout.
“Tong could use a little more minor league time, but with improvement in command and refinement of a third and perhaps fourth pitch, the sky is the limit,” DeMayo wrote. “Without this development, there is a non-zero chance of having a risk of succession.”
