In a historic display of dominance, Jonah Tong, the New York Mets' No. 6 prospect, achieved a remarkable feat on May 10, 2025, during Game 2 of a doubleheader for the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies against the Reading Fightin Phils. Tong pitched 6 2/3 perfect innings, retiring all 20 batters he faced and leading the Rumble Ponies to a 6-0 victory at Mirabito Stadium. This performance marked the first perfect game in franchise history and the first in full-season affiliate baseball since September 1, 2017.
Tong's outing was nothing short of sensational, as he racked up a career-high 13 strikeouts and recorded 17 whiffs. His impressive strikeout total brought his season total to a Double-A-leading 51 strikeouts, putting him second in all of Minor League Baseball, just behind the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, who has 54 strikeouts. Tong's dominant performance was a testament to his development, as he showcased his ability to command the mound effectively.
Right-hander TJ Shook, one of Tong's roommates, stepped in to finish the game after Tong was pulled with one out remaining in the seventh inning. Shook struck out the only batter he faced, securing the historic perfect game for the Rumble Ponies. "It's funny, because after I finished the sixth inning, I looked back [at the scoreboard] and I'm like, '86 pitches, OK,'" Tong said. "Then I looked at [manager Reid Brignac] and he said, 'Jonah, don't even say a word. You're still good to go.'" Tong ultimately threw 99 pitches, setting a career-high in pitch count for the game.
The 21-year-old from Markham, Ontario, started the game strong, striking out the side in the first inning and continuing to dominate throughout. He struck out two batters in both the second and third innings, showcasing his impressive four-seam fastball, which has been a key part of his arsenal. "I don't really understand how it does its thing, but I just know it's always been my go-to and I just have a lot of conviction trust behind it," Tong explained about his fastball.
Tong's performance comes on the heels of a strong 2022 season, where he posted a 3.03 ERA and a 34.2 percent strikeout rate over 113 innings across three levels. This season, he has been even more effective, boasting a 2.57 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a .162 batting average against him across six starts. His ability to limit walks has also improved; this outing marked just the fourth time in his professional career that he did not walk a batter.
Manager Reid Brignac acknowledged the difficulty of pulling Tong from the game, stating, "Man, it was very difficult (to pull him). It was very, very difficult. We had a plan set for him based on his last outing and his pitch counts. This is the minor leagues; it's about development and giving him the opportunity to pitch in the big leagues." Brignac noted that Tong expressed a desire to face another batter, a sentiment that reflects his competitive spirit.
The Rumble Ponies' perfect game is a significant milestone for the franchise, and the excitement in the dugout was palpable. "All his teammates were so happy for him after the game, with Gatorade baths and shaving-cream pies to the face — just the works. We’re very happy for him and look for him to build off this," Brignac added.
Tong's performance is part of a larger narrative surrounding the Mets' pitching prospects. Just a day prior, fellow prospect Nolan McLean made an impressive major-league debut, pitching seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. The emergence of both Tong and McLean has overshadowed a slower start for the Mets' top-ranked prospect, Brandon Sproat, highlighting the depth and talent within the Mets' farm system.
As the Mets continue to build their pitching staff, Tong's recent performance positions him as a strong candidate for a potential promotion to Triple-A later this season. If he maintains his current trajectory, a September call-up to the major leagues is not out of the question.
The New York Mets organization has been lauded for its development system, particularly with the introduction of a state-of-the-art pitching lab at their spring training facility in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Both Tong and McLean have spent considerable time in the lab, honing their skills and refining their pitches.
As of May 10, 2025, the Mets rank second in Major League Baseball with a team ERA of 2.82 and are fourth in total strikeouts with 355. The emergence of young talents like Tong and McLean is a promising sign for the future of the franchise.
In a heartfelt moment, Tong dedicated his historic performance to his mother, acknowledging the significance of the game just before Mother's Day. "Couldn't have had a better day, especially before Mother's Day," he said. "I'm going to dedicate that to my mom." This personal touch adds an emotional layer to an already remarkable achievement.
With the Rumble Ponies making history and the Mets' pitching prospects shining brightly, fans have much to be excited about as the season progresses. Jonah Tong's perfect game is a testament to hard work, talent, and the bright future that lies ahead for both him and the Mets organization.
