Jonah Tong/NDSU
With the 209th overall pick during round seven of the draft, the Mets selected right-handed pitcher Jonah Tong from Georgia Premier Academy in Statesboro, GA. He is 6’0”, 165lbs. He is a Canadian High School player who played for the Toronto developmental program, so the blue and orange is no stranger for Tong.
Tong had committed to attend North Dakota State University in the fall. Last year, the Miami Marlins drafted Bennett Hostetler in the 18th round in last year’s draft. This is the second consecutive year a NDSU player has been drafted and the 12th overall.
Tong has a hard fastball, averaging 92-95 mph, along with a 76-78 mph curveball with 12-6 shape that features primarily an over the top delivery. His fastball has touched 96. Tong also has a changeup that has a 78 percent strike percentage and a 89 percent swing and miss as well. It averages 78 MPH on average exit velocity.
#Mets 7th-rd pick Jonah Tong pitched in the @mlbdraftleague last month, struck out 7 in 2.2 IP in this clip. 19-yo from Canada.
Fastball up to 96 mph with good rising action, changeup and 12-6 curve. Used all 3 with 2 strikes. Player development project but the pieces are there. pic.twitter.com/p5Um22P63E
— Jacob Resnick (@Jacob_Resnick) July 18, 2022
Per Will Hoefer of Prospects Live, Tong had a strong summer. He has a “good body with OTT slot and effortful delivery.” He also has a splitter that cuts well and can be thrown effectively.
Tong was ranked No. 189 on Prospects Live as a slender, projectable arm with big stuff. The Canadian high school pitcher touches 92-95 on his fastball. He is predicted to develop well and to do well at the next level.
As noted by Jacob Resnick of SNY, Tong was the Mets fourth high school player drafted over the first 10 rounds of this draft. The last time the Mets did that was 2013 when current Mets Dominic Smith (first round) and Luis Guillorme (10th round) were among the four selected.
This marks the second straight year the Mets have drafted a Canadian pitcher. Last year, the Mets made Calvin Ziegler their second round pick.
With his three pitch mix, Tong has been a premier late riser in the 2022 MLB Draft class. There are no reports yet on whether Tong expects to sign or to attend college in the fall.
