The 9 best starters still in Triple A
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6568174/2025/08/22/triple-a-starters-bubba-chandler-outlooks/
Jonah Tong, RHP, New York Mets
Tong leaps at hitters with a delivery modeled after Tim Lincecum’s, and he’s got the record-breaking strikeouts you’d expect from his elite stuff coming from a release point like this:
The model rates his fastball as an 80, and loves his curveball … but he’s only thrown four curveballs so far in Triple A, so take that with a grain of salt. Command is a question, with below-average locations on the fastball and a complicated delivery. But with possibly the best stuff in the top level of the minors — at least three pitches that look major-league ready — and eye-popping results, Tong is on the cusp of joining the big leagues.
The only problem? He’s not on the 40-man roster, and his main obstacle on the active roster — barring injury — is Frankie Montas, who’s under contract for another season at a hefty price. It’s worth watching.
Pitch Profiler @pitchprofiler
JONAH
TONG DID IT AGAIN.
WILL HE BE A MET IN 2025????
Mathew Brownstein @MBrownstein89
Jonah Tong’s release points from his second Triple-A start.
Jonah Tong did it again last night.
That's two AAA starts with a combined ERA of 0.00.
AAA: 11 2/3 innings, 0 runs, 8 hits, 3 walks, 17 strikeouts.
Mike Puma reported BEFORE this start that the Mets were rethinking their plans for the Canadian Flamethrower and were considering promoting Tong to the Bigs for the race home.
Wonder what they are thinking now.
Earlier today they released the names of the next four starters after last night's game and hinted they were considering going to a six-man rotation past that.
Too early?
TJStats - MLB Top 100 Prospects: August 2025
27) Nolan McLean - RHP – NYM
The Good
One of the
best breaking balls in MiLB in his sweeper headlines a deep arsenal. He has
also taken massive strides in the command department this season, helping him
quickly rise through the Mets system despite converting to a full-time starter
mid-way through 2024.
The Bad
His
fastball command has room for improvement and its shape will limit whiffs. His
changeup is also a work in progress.
Pitch Profiler @pitchprofiler
Nolan Ryan?
No, Nolan
McLean
Mets Analytics @MetsAnalytics
MLB average curveball vertical drop: 10 inches
Nolan
McLean curveball vertical
drop: 13 inches
MLB average curveball horizontal run: 10 inches
Nolan McLean curveball horizontal run: 19 inches
One potential prospect callup for each team
https://www.mlb.com/news/one-potential-prospect-callup-for-each-team-2025?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage
Mets: Brandon Sproat, RHP (No. 5)
The
24-year-old right-hander’s second foray into Triple-A has been uneven (4.24
ERA, 100 strikeouts in 110 1/3 innings), and it was notable that the Mets
turned to Nolan McLean when a rotation spot opened up last week. But Sproat
continues to build his own case, as he did Tuesday with one earned run and
eight punchouts over six innings. He has a 2.13 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 12
walks in his last eight starts (42 1/3 innings) and continues to show good
velocity sitting 95-98 mph with a pair of fastballs, a mid-80s sweeper and an
89-92 mph changeup that can get whiffs.
Who is each MLB playoff contender’s most indispensable ‘under-the-radar’ player?
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6567281/2025/08/22/mlb-playoff-contenders-underrated-players/
New York Mets: David Peterson,
LHP
Peterson has been the Mets’ most reliable starter this
season, posting a 3.18 ERA and 1.24 WHIP. He made his first All-Star team in
July. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in 17 of his 24 starts. His
ground-ball rate is in the 95th percentile and his extension is in the 96th
percentile.
President of baseball operations David
Stearns: “David has been a real steadying force in our rotation.
Consistently gets us deeper into games and has given us big starts when we
needed them.”
Mets Analytics (@MetsAnalytics) posted at 0:50
PM on Sat, Aug 23, 2025:
Mark
Vientos hard hit rate by month, 2025:
March/April: 26%
May: 26%
June: 25%
July:
45%
August:
49%
Mets Analytics @MetsAnalytics
Is Francisco Lindor one of the streakiest hitters in Mets
history?
Less than a month ago, Lindor was in his worst slump
since May 2021. Now, he’s on the hottest burner of his Mets career!
It is interesting that in the July great selloff Vientos was listed as a no-trade candidate but Baty was not. Who is here in the future and who is trade bait in the off season?
ReplyDeletea perfect example of the usage of the the word "fluid"
Deleteright now, I have Baty as my starting third baseman going forward. He, Marte, and Lindor are the best hitters on this team right now.
Vientos wake up call received. Last 30 games,109 ABs, .284, 20 RBIs. He and Baty have both woken up. So Mauricio sits more.
ReplyDeleteMarte .346 over his last 30.
McNeil .284 over his last 30. 12 HR, 44 RBIs and in 299 at bats. I still think if theMets really think Clifford could be a legit first baseman, Pete could go, put Jeff at 1B until Clifford is ready.
Speaking of ready, Tong means “ready.” I know I’m ready for Tong.
The development of starters from the chain eliminates trading off prospects for aging, fading past stars
DeleteThe Mets can then build their field positions solely on talent
Vientos' one hope of becoming the Mets every day third baseman is based on a failure of Mauricio and Baty being moved to second... but where do you play Jett if Benge is in center and Ewing is in left?
See?
Team controlled future
I now have three fixed starters in my 2026 rotation
DeletePeterson
McLean
Tong
Salary will come down as crops come up.
ReplyDeleteOne large salary guy, Soto, is on pace for mid 40s HRs and 130 walks in an “off year.. And 120 runs scored.
Need one more year of super salaries to Diaz and Pete and a salary eating beginning this off-season and ending mid 2026
DeleteThey compared McLean to Roy Halladay on SNY yesterday.
ReplyDeleteMontas Mets career likely over - UCL.
HITTING. Great the last two days. Imagine if dumb Alvarez hadn’t been reckless?
HOW TO MISS PLAYOFFS: Mets had 7 run lead in ninth, for some bewildering reason, Diaz comes in, throws 28 pitches, likely making him unavailable today, in a game that might be close and that he might be needed in.
First test next week with three at home vs. the Phillies
DeleteThen four against the pesky Marlins
Mack, right now you have Senga and Manaea at 4 and 5, with Holmes #6 barring a trade.
ReplyDeleteTom, in defense of Diaz pitching, they said he hadn't pitched in a week. Probably could have limited him to 15 pitches though.
You are correct about your speculation on starters four, five, and six, but I haven't inked any of them in yet.
DeleteDepends on Sproat's progress
Exactly, Joe.
DeleteJust checked Mets 2026 payroll. Stands at $252 mil. There goes my reset hopes. That was counting in Alonso and Diaz. Pete will opt out so that will go up. That was before the pre-arb salaries.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you can deduct Montas's salary. To get under the threshold you would have to lose Pete and trade Manaea, and/or Senga and McNeil.
You can't get under n 2026
DeleteWhat's needed is more ugliness
I'll explain on Wednesday
On that comment I meant the salary would go up if they resigned Pete.
ReplyDeleteI’d still look at Plan B as 1) no Pete 2) McNeil at 1B in his final contract year 3) see who develops out of Vientos, Mauricio, Clifford, even Reimer possibly.
ReplyDeleteReimer is 16 for last 31 in 9 games. Somehow, in that torrid stretch, Reimer had 2 games where he went 0 for 6 with 6 Ks! He won’t be ready until late 2026, it seems. But he did the Brooklyn/Binghamton pitcher’s park fade. That seems over.
Tom
DeleteReimer thinks a glove is an ornament
Do the Mets have an insurance policy that covers Montas's salary for 2026? Is that a thing of the past?
ReplyDeleteI have a funny feeling that insurance policies aren't the first thing Cohen worries about
DeleteDid not think about insurance. I (probably mistakenly) thought if a player missed the year that salary came off the payroll. Does anyone actually know the luxury tax ramifications if Montas misses the year?
ReplyDeleteI believe what you are paid is the factor. Not whether you play.
DeleteMack you say Peterson McLean and Tong
ReplyDeleteBut when for tong?
As you saw this year sterns showed he cares about the draft pick compensation for rookies with McLean
So will we have to wait till august 15 ish next year for Tong?
Some worry about players being rushed
I worry about player waiting too long to be promoted. The minors are grind and they feel like they are ready, and when they get over looked for other lesser players they get pissed too… they are human too.
No
DeleteI think the failure of the current rotation is changing those thoughts
I now believe we will actually see Tong this year
Remember
The agreement between the owners and the Players Union run out way before the current rules for draft.pick compensation
All bets are off
Mack you can’t tease and ugliness article till Wednesday ? Thats brutal
ReplyDeleteSorry
DeleteI'm ugly
I don't know if Uncle Stevie re-signs Alonso. If that is the case, then there is (financial) room to sign FAs Bellinger for CF (I hope), Lourdes Gurriel (DH) and Japanese FA Murakami (if he doesn't sign with the Dodgers - to take Alonso's place at 1B ). That would fortify our lineup with Baty, Mauricio. McNeil & Vientos splitting 2B, 3B & DH/1B.
ReplyDeleteThese FA signings would provide us with a very competitive lineup!
On Alonso were at least 5 games below .500 w/o him and Clifford will cover even half that..... don't think so. Roy LA is trying to get Manfred to add a second DH so they can then sign Murakami:) Also Pete's a homegrown talent and to see him retire a Met would be nice even though thats only my thought.
ReplyDeleteI too want him back
DeleteRoy, with those signings that would bring our payroll to $400Mil.
ReplyDeleteI seriously can't understand why you would let Alonso walk and go out bring in more overpriced players. He is a homegrown player that just broke a Met record????
If you sign all these people where does Benge and Jett play???
Got an ugly solution for this
DeleteWednesday 6am
Alonso’s defense is underrated. I’d give him a three year deal. Looking forward to streamlining the Mets roster: gone are Marte, McNeil, Mullins, Winker, etc.
ReplyDeleteSeeing those September returns for Siri and Winker and I yell NOOOOO! Mendoza’s keeps putting guys in as soon as he can and they need a week or two to get back to speed. There isn’t time for that. Sit them out, we are fine without them.
Gus is thinking like me
DeleteMcNeil has been our most consistent hitter all season - he’s the only hitter who has had an above league average OPS in every month. He’s got one more year on his deal, and plays at least four positions more than adequately. McNeil is not the problem on this team, and I’m happy he’ll be back next season. Marte has been our other most consistent hitter - and has really turned it on in the second half. His contract does come off the books, but honestly, there’s a good chance (and it would probably be smart) that the FO decides to rotate McNeil, Nimmo and Soto through the DH spot vs RHP, and if the org decides that Baty is the 3B going forward (and I agree with Mack that they should) it would leave Vientos as a short-side DH, not very many AB’s. In that scenario I would probably try to trade Vientos and consider re-signing Marte cheap for 1-2 yrs as the RH DH option.
DeleteThe Mets are transferring Sproat to the bullpen. I don’t really like this move, but I do understand it. I don’t want the kid to be like Butto, where he was solid as a starter but they gave those roles to “veterans”. As far as I am concerned, Senga has gotten little done for two years now and is only getting older.
ReplyDeleteIs this official?
DeleteReported on SNY…. That’s all I know
DeleteI would avoid FA signings except for maybe the pen. By 2027, we may have one of the best rotations in MLB.
ReplyDeleteGus, you must hold some serious sway with Mack. I state this on every other post, and I get crickets.
ReplyDeleteMcNeil also has one more year on his contract unless he is traded.
I agree Siri and Winkler should not see the field for the remainder of the year.
I'm lost here
DeleteWhat did I respond to Gus about that I have been ghosting you.?
Was just joking Mack. What I was saying was that I have been saying for a while now the Mets should go with the youth and try to get under the luxury tax and never really get much in the way of a response. The levity was supposed to be that Gus mentioned it once and it got you to respond.
ReplyDeleteWait until you see my Wednesday thoughts
Delete