Top Mets pitching prospects Tong, Wenninger put up zeroes in impressive outings
The Mets youth movement isn’t just limited to A.J. Ewing and Carson Benge at the top of their Major League order. Young arms Jack Wenninger and Jonah Tong are also in the future plans and showed off their talents to start the weekend in Triple-A Syracuse.
Wenninger tossed five no-hit innings Friday against Worcester (Triple-A Red Sox), while Tong followed Saturday with 5 2/3 scoreless frames. Both starters led the Mets to victories.
The 24-year-old Wenninger, the Mets' No. 9 prospect, was activated from the 7-day injured list to make his latest appearance Friday. He’s pitched to a 4.17 ERA in 101 1/3 innings this season but has found recent success in August, allowing a .102 average in three starts.
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Tong, the Mets' No. 5 prospect, likely didn’t expect to pitch only three games in New York after a late-season callup last season. But the 23-year-old ranks third in the organization in strikeouts with 188 (10.6 K/9) and has allowed one run or fewer in five of his last six starts.
Both Wenninger and Tong faced a Worcester lineup featuring players with MLB experience like Trevor Story, Kristian Campbell and Romy Gonzalez, as well as top prospect Franklin Arias. The WooSox didn’t get much going, and both pitchers could potentially become September callups in the coming days.