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How Jonah Tong is helping the Mets develop a new pitching standard

Published

4 months ago

August 30, 2025

How Jonah Tong is helping the Mets develop a new pitching standard

At the end of a promising but trying 2023 season, Eric Jagers, the Mets’ vice president of pitching, sat down with Jonah Tong in St. Lucie. In his first professional season, Tong had made 10 appearances across the Complex League and A-ball, and he’d flashed, in extremes, the potential and the rawness of an intriguing pitching prospect.

At 20, Tong had pitched to a 6.00 ERA. He’d faced 100 batters and walked 22 of them. But he’d also struck out 38 and allowed just a .218 batting average.

“I just remember telling him how proud I was of him,” Jagers remembered by phone this week, “that he carried himself well beyond his age, that he was helping us create the standard of Mets pitching and author that story.”
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“The standard of Mets pitching” meant something very different in 2023 than it does in this moment in late 2025. Heck, it meant something pretty different three weeks ago.

When Jagers spoke with Tong in St. Lucie, the Mets were barely a month removed from trading Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander. Denyi Reyes had just started a game for the big-league club, and it wasn’t until the following spring that Steve Cohen would express any optimism about the quality of pitching in New York’s farm system.

On Friday, Tong will join Nolan McLean in the Mets’ big-league rotation, making his major-league debut as a 22-year-old against the Miami Marlins. McLean has dazzled since his arrival earlier this month. Tong enters with just as much hype as, by most accounts, the best pitcher in the minor leagues this season.

Friday Night. Citi Field. Jonah Tong. See you there.

🎟️👉 https://t.co/RdcEnJYWSR pic.twitter.com/1GnieH0p1G

— New York Mets (@Mets) August 28, 2025

The night the Mets drafted Jonah Tong, Marc Tramuta restrained himself — barely. In the Zoom call that night with reporters, Tramuta was asked about any of the Mets’ picks that especially intrigued him, and he mentioned the high school pitcher they took in the seventh round.

“There’s some comps to the delivery and arm action, but I’ll let people that look at it on Twitter try to figure out what I mean by that,” said Tramuta, then the Mets’ director of amateur scouting and now working with the Blue Jays.

Tramuta didn’t divulge the comp, but anyone who has set eyes on Tong since has known immediately who he meant: Tim Lincecum.

Now Lincecum, for our younger crowd, was not quite the hidden gem Tong is. In 2007, he was taken 10th overall, 199 spots ahead of Tong’s draft position, and by the time he was 25, he’d won two Cy Youngs.

“I don’t do a lot of comps because you don’t want everybody saying we got Tim Lincecum in the seventh round,” Tramuta said over the phone this week. “But that’s who it reminded me of.”

Any breakdown of Tong as a pitcher — of the fastball that generates swing and miss at a crazy rate, the changeup he developed and mastered within this season — has to start with the delivery.

“What’s really special, is how he delivers the baseball,” Jagers said. “That leads to some unique qualities to the fastball and the changeup. It’s a combination of how he gets there and how it comes out of his hand.”

When Tong leans on his back right leg to generate power toward home, his other three limbs go straight — the left arm pointing up, the right arm cocked back, the left leg moving in a circle toward home. Stop the frame at the right moment on video, and his body almost looks like a K. Fitting.

As he moved through the delivery, his head clears through the space aggressively toward first base; that’s the move that will immediately conjure images of Lincecum in a Giants uniform.

“Any hitter that you might talk to would tell you there’s some funkiness and deception,” Jagers continued.

Tong said Thursday he’s pitched with that delivery since he was about 10 years old, emboldened to stick with it because of the success Lincecum had with something similar.

That delivery gives Tong’s fastball — which thanks in part to the 25 pounds he’s added since he was drafted has crept into the mid-90s on average and the high-90s on occasion — an extraordinary amount of induced vertical break. That means it appears to rise to the hitter’s eye, creating a bunch of swinging strikes at and above the strike zone. This year, the changeup has emerged as his best secondary pitch, the result of constant dialogue with the Mets’ development staff on how best to complement his arsenal.

“He ended up landing on something that’s really worked for him,” Jagers said, “and it’s due to the curiosity, openness and dedication to work on it and see if it could become a thing.”

That is how most everyone describes Tong — as a pitcher of uncommon curiosity and thoughtfulness, someone willing to try (and fail) in an effort to ultimately improve.

That the Mets were on Tong was impressive in the first place. Committed to North Dakota State, Tong had moved from the Toronto area to Georgia for his senior season at Georgia Premier Academy — a baseball training school — hoping to get in front of more scouts than he would have north of the border.

“I wouldn’t say we came into the year with him on our radar,” Tramuta said. “It wasn’t like we scouted him or had him as a legit name coming into the year.”

But area scout Marlin McPhail was intrigued early, and national crosschecker Doug Thurman “wouldn’t shut up” about Tong in the weeks leading up to the draft, Tramuta said. In the days before the draft, Tramuta and Tommy Tanous, who ran the draft for New York at the time, kept gawking at the reports on Tong.

“These are the ones I love because everybody — scouting, development, the kid — has played a part in where he’s gotten at this point,” said Tramuta. “For him to come on that fast is a credit to him.”

Indeed, two years after he was hitting backstops and walking every fifth batter, Tong has led the minor leagues in ERA (1.43) and strikeouts (179 in 113 2/3 innings). He’ll debut at 22, a few months younger than Lincecum was when he reached the majors. Tong said Thursday, as he does in most every interview, that he’s just going to stay where his feet are.

Jagers could take a broader view. Even after Tong’s breakout 2024 season, he wasn’t invited to big-league camp this past spring. Instead, his lone interaction with Carlos Mendoza came while serving as the ball boy in a back-fields minor-league game.

Could the Mets’ VP of pitching have imagined that ball boy taking the hill at Citi Field in 2025?

“No,” he said quickly. “We feel like as an organization, that we’re open to those things happening — those miracles, if you will. We’re going to continue to work and invite these opportunities by hammering down on our process and trying to get a little bit better each day.”

As Tong has, as the Mets have. That’s how you create a new standard.

(Photo: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)

Sports

Tomashek named GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2025

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HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech men’s basketball senior Marcus Tomashek has been named the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week for week six, the league office announced on Monday.

The honor marks the ninth of his career and the first of his senior season.

Tomashek, a standout from Green Bay, Wisconsin, averaged 30.5 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds to lead the No. 9 nationally-ranked Huskies to win over Florida Tech (64-52) before blitzing the high-flying offense of the Lynn Fighting Knights (105-67) at the Florida Tech Christmas Classic over the weekend to wrap non-conference play with a 11-1 record overall.

In the largest scoring game against a Division II opponent in over 15 years, Tomashek netted a season-high 39 points in the 105-67 win on 14-21 from the field and 11-17 from 3-point land, breaking the school record for single-game 3-point field goals made, surpassing fellow Husky All-Americans Kyle Monroe and Ben Stelzer. He also added four assists that helped the Huskies break the team record for most 3-point field goals made with 23.

Tomashek finished the weekend shooting 54.1 percent from the field (20-37), 50 percent from long range (14-28) and a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.

The Huskies resume GLIAC play next weekend, hosting Grand Valley State Thursday and Davenport on Saturday.

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SCAC Announces 2025 Fall All-Sportsmanship Teams

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2025

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SUWANEE, Ga. — The Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) today announced its 18th annual fall All-Sportsmanship teams. A total of 63 student-athletes – the most since 2011-12 – were selected to the 2025 squad in the sports of men’s cross country, women’s cross country, football, men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball.

Since the inaugural All-Sportsmanship teams were honored in the fall of 2008, the SCAC has recognized over 2,500 student-athletes who each, in his or her own way, has displayed the league’s core belief in the value of honorable conduct.

For this year’s selections, each conference head coach was asked to elect one member from his or her team who displayed good sportsmanship throughout the season.

The 2025 SCAC All-Sportsmanship honorees for the fall sports season are listed below:

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Cross Country Team
Centenary College – Zack Wroten, Fy., Benton, Louisiana
Colorado College – Luc Santos, Sr., Exeter, New Hampshire
Concordia University (Texas) – Gerardo Leal, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of Dallas – Martin Lane, So., Hot Springs, South Dakota
Hendrix College – Davin Barragan, Fy., Hot Springs, Arkansas
LeTourneau University – Austin Jett, Jr., Magnolia, Texas
McMurry University – Roman Perez, Sr., Big Spring, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Daniel Sanderson, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Sean Dansby, Jr., Pasadena, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Mason McFeeters, Jr., Lake Jackson, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Peyton Bristow, Fy., Round Rock, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Cross Country
Centenary College – Grayson Shugart, So., McKinney, Texas
Colorado College – Brooktie Frogge, Sr., Nashville, Tennessee
Concordia University (Texas) – Camille McWhorter, Jr., Humble, Texas
University of Dallas – Teresa Chshen, Jr., River Ridge, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Pippy Newell, Fy., Owasso, Oklahoma
LeTourneau University – Alayna Galloway, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
McMurry University – Madison Soultanova, Sr., Jacksonville, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Chloe Weathers, Sr., Clarksville, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Piper Hoeke, So., Boerne, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Alejandra Ramon, Jr., Klein, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Audrey Malbrough, So., Selma, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Football
Austin College – Evan Dennis, Sr., McKinney, Texas
Centenary College – Gideon Bowman, So., Destrehan, Louisiana
Hendrix College – Auvic White, Sr., Munford, Tennessee
Lyon College – Grayson Johnson, Jr., Anniston, Alabama
McMurry University – Kimani Smith, Sr., Austin, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Anthony Ortegon, Jr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Men’s Soccer
Austin College – Justin Ajdukovich, Sr., Frisco, Texas
Centenary College – Joshua Mensah, So., Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Colorado College – Will Jones, So., Colorado Springs, Colorado
Concordia University (Texas) – Steven Dolan, Jr., Bellevue, Washington
University of Dallas – Josh Longlois, So., Houston, Texas
Hendrix College – Charlie Mata, Sr., Houston, Texas
LeTourneau University – Nate Bransford, Sr., Kijabe, Kenya
McMurry University – Abel Gonzalez, Fy., Dallas, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Hunter Robert, Sr., Montgomery, Texas
Schreiner University – Derek Toney, Fy., San Antonio, Texas
University of St. Thomas – Elijah Flores, Sr., Missouri City, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Preston Huff, Sr., Houston, Texas

2025 All-Sportsmanship Women’s Soccer
Austin College – Lynna Martin, Fy., Paris, Texas
Centenary College – Anna Hobart, Fy., Natchitoches, Louisiana
Concordia University (Texas) – Lilianna Cherry, Jr., Kingwood, Texas
University of Dallas – Kit Gibbons, Sr., Tomball, Texas
Hendrix College – Ella Kelly, Sr., Webster Groves, Missouri
LeTourneau University – Clarissa Martinez, Sr., Richwood, Texas
McMurry University – Alexandria Flores, Jr., San Angelo, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Jayden Vazquez, So., Dardanelle, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Aspen Ulibarri, So., Clovis, New Mexico
University of St. Thomas – Bre Medina, Fy., Pearland, Texas
Texas Lutheran University – Alysa Marquez, Jr., Miami, Florida

2025 All-Sportsmanship Volleyball
Austin College – Selah Coleman, Sr., Houston, Texas
Centenary College – Hannah Dimmel, Jr., Navasota, Texas
Colorado College – Meghan Gannon, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio
Concordia University (Texas) – Camryn Parker, Sr., Garland, Texas
University of Dallas – Breana Timms, Fy., Mansfield, Texas
Hendrix College – Lily Meyer, Sr., Omaha, Nebraska
LeTourneau University – Emma Smith, Sr., San Antonio, Texas
McMurry University – Jalie Miller, So., Rockwall, Texas
University of the Ozarks – Claire Zeiler, Fy., Paris, Arkansas
Schreiner University – Emma Frye, Jr., Tigard, Oregon
University of St. Thomas – Madi Baker, Jr., Rancho Cucamonga, California
Texas Lutheran University – Ryann Ely, Sr., Montgomery, Texas

To view an archive of past All-Sportsmanship teams, click here.

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RICHARDSON NAMED TO ACADEMIC ALL-LEAGUE TEAM

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – South Dakota State junior Joslyn Richardson was one of four repeat honorees on the 2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team released by conference officials Monday. A total of seven volleyball athletes league-wide were named to the team that was voted on by the membership’s faculty athletic representatives and sports information directors.

Richardson, a two-time Summit League Scholar of the Championship presented by JLG Architects, collected the second all-academic honor of her career.

Richardson played every match as the Jackrabbits’ libero in 2025 and led the team in digs per set with 3.31. She also set a new program record with 41 ace serves this year.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s ten institutions and voting is conducted by both the SIDs and facility athletic representatives (FARs). The team is made up of the seven student-athletes receiving the most votes with all ties standing.

2025 Summit League Volleyball Academic All-League Team

Name	School	Yr.	Pos.	GPA	Major
Ally Barth	NDSU	Sr.	MB	3.94	Management Communication
Kamryn Farris	South Dakota	Sr.	DS	3.75	Business
Avery Van Hook**	South Dakota	Jr.	S	3.87	Kinesiology & Sport Management
Kali Jurgensmeier**	Omaha	Sr.	OH	3.82	Biology
Amanda Loschen	South Dakota	Jr.	MB	3.86	Medical Biology
Lauren Perugini**	North Dakota	Jr.	OH	4.00	Dietetics
Joslyn Richardson**	SDSU	Jr.	DS	4.00	Construction Management

*Career Academic All-League honors

-GoJacks.com-

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Una Vajagic becomes first Badger Volleyball starter to transfer after national semifinal run | Sports

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

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MADISON, Wis. — In a surprising move on the volleyball court, Una Vajagic has announced that she is entering the transfer portal. This news is a stunner for Badger fans, as the sophomore ranked second on the team in kills and becomes the first Badger starter to leave since their national semifinal run.

Vajagic was expected to take on a larger role next season with the graduation of Mimi Colyer and Carter Booth. However, head coach Kelly Sheffield is already taking steps to replenish the roster, bringing in Florida’s Jaela Auguste, a Middle Blocker, and Eva Travis, an Outside Hitter from UC-Santa Barbara.

Looking ahead, there is promising news for Wisconsin volleyball. According to PrepDig, Wisconsin boasts the #1 recruiting class in the nation, incoming in 2026. This signals a bright future for the program despite the unexpected departure of Vajagic.

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Tigers Picked Fourth in EIVA Preseason Poll

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

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PRINCETON, N.J. – The Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the EIVA preseason poll, announced Monday. Mason Rice and Ryan Vena were named EIVA preseason players to watch.

With 26 points, Princeton is fourth in the rankings behind Penn State, which was unanimously selected first, NJIT, and George Mason.

Vena and Rice were named players to watch by the EIVA coaches. Vena, a senior middle blocker, was a First Team All-EIVA honoree in 2025. Rice, a sophomore pin, was named to the Second Team All-EIVA after a breakout freshman season.

In 2025, the Tigers went 15-11 overall and 10-2 in the EIVA, winning the EIVA regular season championship before falling to Penn State in the EIVA tournament finals.

The Tigers will kick off the 2026 season on January 3rd as they take on Toronto Metropolitan on the road in Canada. First serve is set for 8 p.m.

2026 EIVA Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rank

Team (First-place votes)

Points

2025 Record

Penn State (7)

15-16, 8-4

NJIT

14-13, 8-4

George Mason

16-13, 6-6

Princeton

15-11, 10-2

T-5

Charleston

12-17, 5-7

T-5

Harvard

9-15, 5-7

Sacred Heart

6-17, 0-12

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Barth Named to Summit League Volleyball All-Academic Team

Published

3 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Senior middle blocker Ally Barth has been named to the Summit League Volleyball All-Academic Team for the first time in her career, the league office announced on Monday afternoon.

Barth boasts a 3.94 GPA in Management Communication and was one of seven players in the Summit League to earn a spot on the Academic All-League Team. The Verona, Wis., native was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team for the third time in her career earlier this month.

To be eligible for the Academic All-League team, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 (on a 4.0 scale), completed at least one full academic year at the current institution and participated in 50 percent of their team’s competitions, except pitchers who must have participated in 20 percent of their team’s total contests.

Nominations are brought forth by sports information directors from the league’s participating members, and voting is conducted by both SIDs and FARs.

The full Summit League release can be viewed here.

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