NEW YORK -- For one more rotation turn, at least, the Mets’ plans are set. Despite a winless record and a seven-run blowup Wednesday against the Brewers, Robert Stock will almost certainly make another start for the Mets Monday in St. Petersburg, according to interim manager Andy Green.
After that is an open question. With rosters set to expand from 26 to 28 on Tuesday, the Mets will naturally look at whether various Minor Leaguers can help them down the stretch. One of them, fifth-ranked prospect Jonah Tong, could theoretically supplant Stock if he pitches well this weekend with Triple-A Syracuse.
“I think we’ll continue to keep an eye on him, continue to watch, continue to see how he performs,” Green said. “Definitely somebody that we think highly of and will be excited when the time comes.”
The decision has little to do with Stock, a 36-year-old journeyman who does not factor into New York's future plans in a meaningful way. Instead, Mets officials want to make sure that when Tong returns to the Majors for the third time in his career, he will be as prepared as possible to stick.
That wasn’t the case earlier this season, when Tong held a 5.68 ERA in Syracuse at the time of a need-based promotion. Though he held his own in the Majors, producing a 3.60 ERA over three appearances in May and early June, Tong looked shaky throughout that run.
He has spent much of this year working on expanding his arsenal, which last season centered on a four-seam fastball and changeup. This year, Tong introduced a cutter that he throws primarily to right-handed hitters, but his focus on that pitch accelerated a roughly 12-degree drop in his average arm angle. That’s made his fastball, which previously came at hitters from an extreme over-the-top angle, less effective.
“I think he’s at his best when he’s filling up the strike zone, getting ahead in the count,” Green said. “It’s not some secret-sauce recipe. The stuff has always been really, really good. When he’s got velo, when he fills up the strike zone, he’s good. And he’s done that more consistently recently, so we’re encouraged by that.”
Over his past six Minor League starts, Tong has posted a 2.48 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .198 average. He’s still walking a concerning number of batters, with 15 free passes over that 29-inning stretch. But Tong is at least showing better results.
Green hesitated when asked if Tong still needs to improve before earning another callup.
“I think Jonah has had outings where you’re greatly encouraged about short-term Major League viability, and he’s had outings where you’re like, ‘Let’s give it a minute longer,’” the manager said. “I don’t think any of these things are an exact science, but you try to do the best you possibly can for that particular pitcher. And that’s kind of what we’re solving for.”
Some of these plans will depend on Stock’s performance as the most vulnerable member of a rotation that also includes Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Sean Manaea and Zac Thornton. But much will depend on Tong.
“If he’s in a spot where he is throwing the ball well, [where] he gives us the best chance to win a baseball game, that he feels really good about being here and getting those opportunities, that’s probably how we look at it.” Green said. “Just give him an opportunity to pitch when he is really ready for the opportunity to pitch. I’d love to see it. But we don’t have anything committed to right now.”