Tong was selected with the 13th pick of the 7th round (209th overall) in the 2022 draft and signed for a $226K bonus equivalent to slot value. His background was unusual, to say the least; he pitched for an Ontario prep school as a Junior, transferred to the Georgia Premier Academy in his draft year, and also appeared in the 2022 draft league. That made him an older prep – 19 on draft day – which is something of a negative demographic marker. Nevertheless, the Mets brought in on the 6’1” right hander with a funky delivery who was already flashing impressive IVB characteristics on his primary offering.

Needless to say, that investment has paid off. Tong had an unremarkable and fairly limited 2023 season, tossing only 21 innings across the complex and St. Lucie as he focused on bulking up p

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