New York Mets right-hander Jonah Tong, ranked as MLB Pipeline's No. 48 prospect for the 2026 season, already gave fans a glimpse of what he can do from an MLB mound last year.

While there wasn't room for him on the pitching staff this time, at least for now, the talented Tim Lincecum clone is eager to prove he belongs in the majors. On Friday, Tong made his season debut in Triple-A Syracuse, and it was as successful as you can expect. He tossed four scoreless innings in which he walked two and struck out four hitters, allowing just one hit.

Tong's performance at Triple-A Syracuse in the season opener included: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K. Tong’s Triple-A experience beyond these four frames is limited to just 11.2 innings last year, in which he conceded no runs and struck out 17 batters.

His major league debut last year, although with an ERA of 7.71 in 18.2 innings, demonstrated his ability to strike out batters, with 22 strikeouts in total, and an FIP of 4.31 and an xFIP of 3.96, showing his potential despite being a rookie.

Many fans focus on the ERA and get a bad impression of Tong, but he was rushed to the majors and still managed to strike out opponents, showing his tremendous talent, highlighted by a solid four-seam fastball with elite ride and a Vulcan changeup that could be his best pitch. He also throws a curveball and a slider.

The Mets currently have Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, Kodai Senga, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Sean Manaea, and Tobias Myers as options to start games. Christian Scott and Tong can also be added. With the latter two, the Mets plan to have them in Triple-A, developing and making up for lost time. They could be options to receive the call in the not-too-distant future, and their timelines could be accelerated if the big league staff has to deal with injuries.

Tong might not have the mound presence and command of McLean, but he is a very good prospect in his own right and definitely has a future as a major leaguer. A small percentage of evaluators believe he is a long-term reliever, but the skillset, the fastball utility, and the elite changeup scream future MLB starter.

In a way, he is a lot like former San Francisco Giants star Tim Lincecum. His low release point makes his fastball play very well, and his developing secondaries further elevate his ceiling. It could be weeks or even months before we see Tong in Queens again, but when it happens, you will be impressed by how far he has come. He could be a star if the Mets are patient.

Tong's success in Triple-A is a crucial step in his development. The opportunity to hone his skills and gain experience in a competitive environment is invaluable. The Mets are carefully managing his progression, ensuring he is fully prepared for the challenge of the Major Leagues.

The comparison to Tim Lincecum is significant, as both share similar characteristics in their pitching style and potential. If Tong can reach his full potential, he could become a dominant pitcher in MLB, bringing significant value to the Mets team in the future. The fans eagerly await his return to Queens, knowing that the team's future could partly depend on his success.