The Mets’ decision to fast-track their 22YO star into a heated playoff race is already drawing sharp analysis after the star’s rough outing against the Reds. In just the second major league start, the star gave up three home runs and it has raising concerns related to whether his promotion was more focused on short-term need than long-term readiness.

Jonah Tong had dominated across 113 ²/₃ minor league innings this season, enabling only two home runs. Such a power play made Tong’s call-up appear inevitable as the Mets searched for stability in their rotation, fueled by inconsistency. However, the Reds wasted no time exposing the Tong’s reliance on his fastball-heavy approach, turning the rookie’s highly anticipated encore into a learning moment for the pitcher and the team.

Ryan Finkelstein of Locked On Mets highlighted the outing as “uneven to say the least”. He, too, broke down how small lapses became costly mistakes. “If Jonah Tong just has one of the home runs that he gave up stay in the yard, it’s a quality start,” Finkelstein said. “If Jonah Tong avoids a walk before the first home run, it’s a quality start. But on the other side, he gave up three home runs in this game”, he added. Finkelstein went further, highlighting the root issues: the star’s lack of a fully reliable third pitch. “What I was asking him [Jack McMullen] last week was, how is he going to survive with the fastball, the changeup, and not really having a third pitch that he can absolutely trust?” the analyst said.

Such a vulnerability was on display against the Reds, as the rookie’s changeup landed in the zone just 36 percent of the time, and Tong’s curveball rarely threatened hitters. Readers asking whether such an outing was a blip and a trend need to note that Tong’s dominance in the minors relied on two-pitch usage exceeding 80–90 percent.

Still, there were some positives. The analyst and Mets manager Carlos Mendoza highlighted Jonah Tong’s capability to reach six innings, strike out six, and still touch 98 mph with his 96th pitch of the night. As Mendoza said, “There’s a lot of positives from his outing.” Yet, the uncertainty remains: is Jonah Tong ready to anchor this rotation in the middle of a postseason chase? Is the star a skilled arm learning on the job while exposed at the highest level? The answer could determine how the team balances quick needs with star development in the final weeks of the season.

However, Jonah Tong’s uncertain debut is only part of a larger thought process in the Mets, where the team’s past decisions — specifically, losing their ace — continue to shape the team’s present and future.

Letting Jacob deGrom walk paved the way for the Mets’ next breakout star

When Jacob deGrom left the Mets for a five-year, $185 million deal with the Rangers, some feared it would cripple the Mets’ rotation for seasons. The star’s early issues with injuries looked to validate the management’s caution, as Jacob deGrom managed just six starts in his first season with the Rangers before he went through Tommy John surgery. While seeing the Mets’ homegrown star depart was painful, the team quietly positioned itself for the long run.

Such a move paid off with a compensatory draft pick that became outfielder A.J. Ewing, now a breakout prospect in MLB. At just 21, the star has surged through the system. He is hitting .322 with 55 RBIs and an eye-popping 69 stolen bases in 2025. The star’s rise not only eases the sting of losing deGrom but also highlights the kind of high-upside youth the Mets hope can carry them forward. With Ewing’s power and other prospects pushing through, the Mets’ decision to move on from deGrom looks less like a loss and more like a turning point.

The Mets could be walking a tightrope, balancing quick playoff urgency with future-building moves. Jonah Tong’s issues highlight the risks of relying on raw skill. Yet, the rise of A.J. Ewing highlights how tough decisions, like letting Jacob deGrom walk, can shape a brighter future. For now, the team’s October hopes hinge on whether their rookies can deliver under fire.