Mets' Jonah Tong Amped for Spring Training Debut

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Jonah Tong, a right-handed pitching prospect for the New York Mets, was so eager to throw to hitters for the first time in spring training that he seemed to forget to hold back, with the ball shooting out "very, very hard" during his session.

Why it matters

Tong is considered a top pitching prospect in the Mets' farm system, and the team is hoping he can develop into a dominant starter at the major league level. His high-energy and unorthodox personality have made him a fan favorite, but the Mets will need him to channel that energy productively on the mound.

The details

Tong's teammates have described him as a 'goof' and a 'different dude', but the Mets are hoping he can channel that energy into becoming a dominant pitcher. During his first spring training session, Tong seemed overly amped up and the ball was coming out of his hand 'very, very hard', indicating he may have been trying too hard to impress.

• Tong threw to hitters for the first time in spring training on Friday, February 13, 2026.

What’s next

The Mets will continue to monitor Tong's progress throughout spring training as he looks to harness his energy and develop into a dominant starting pitcher at the major league level.