8/10/23

Tom Brennan - Don’t Overlook Rhylan Thomas and Jonah Tong

“Hey, there’s Rhylan and Jonah!” 

I'm Always on the Lookout for Strong Performers

Some guys like Ronny Mauricio get tons of attention and chit chat.

Others don’t.

How about these two under-the-radar guys? 

1) RHYAN THOMAS

A 2022 eleventh round draft pick lacking speed and (so far) power, OF Thomas can do one thing very well: hit for average while limiting strikeouts. 

In point of fact, in his first 36 games for the Cyclones, the 22 year old is hitting .339.

His Brooklyn stat line makes one think of Jeff McNeil, the former 12th rounder-turned-star: .339, just 9 Ks in 36 Brooklyn games! Wow. Don’t just scoot past those K per game numbers. This guy seems to fan less than any Mets minor leaguer right now, by a wide margin.

Only playing in his first full minors year, so let’s see how he can build upon his high-average 2023 season in 2024 in AA.

2) JONAH TONG

Drafted in the 7th round in 2022, Tong did not pitch in 2022, and thru August 22, had thrown just 15.2 innings in 2023 and is now in  St Lucie. He’s fanned 31, or two per inning. 

I dunno about you I LOVE 2 Ks per inning.

He is from Canada and appears to be playing catch-up, experience-wise, but the hard-throwing righty is now starting to roll. He will be fascinating to follow over the rest of 2023 and in 2024. It would be great if he turned into the next Jake deGrom….the Mets need those sorts of upside surprises.

Tong is wild so far, but had a fine last outing and appears to be “getting it.”

Two unheralded dudes to watch…Thomas and Tong.

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