Jonah Tong talks changes made for second-chance at Mets big league rotation
Mets top pitching prospect Jonah Tong spoke with the media at Citi Field on Sunday, as he will be called up to the big league roster for another chance at sticking in the big league rotation with the Mets.
Video Transcript
Honestly, just going out there and having fun, right?
We- I find that we, we play our best when we're just out there having fun.
It's a kids game, and honestly, like, the group of guys in this room, played with a lot, played with all of them, so really excited to just start the year strong.
Failure is inevitable.
Everybody hits it at different points in their careers and, I wouldn't even call it that, sorry, but, like, there are so many things that we, we have control over in our career, and sometimes there's just lessons that need to be learned.
And, I'm just really excited to see the person I've become out of it.
And, honestly, at any point, I would, any other points in my career, just look back upon this year and, see if I can find anything and just keep going.
Just, I guess, learning, different parts of myself through, through my arsenal and just pitching.
That's been a big focus for me this year.
And I know working with AJ a lot this year, has kind of helped that and- Was it hard to work your way back from that- Yeah just mentally?
I, I think just day by day and brick by brick.
I'm the same kid I was last year as I am this year.
I think the only difference is I just have a boatload of experience I didn't have last year.
And honestly, no, like the, the support system I have outside of baseball and in baseball, they're my family, so I, I appreciate them and lean on them a lot.
How comfortable are you with where your arm angle is right now?
You know, when I, when I pick a baseball and start throwing it, it's just where it is.
So I think I'm pretty happy with, with how I am.
I'm not really too focused on that, but, yeah, sure something to note, but happy with it.
I'm excited for the opportunity.
I'm excited to play behind these guys or I guess in the middle of it.
Um- In the middle of it but yeah, I mean, it's, it's been a, been a while, but no, I've been honestly where my feet are the entire time.
I say that a lot, and you're gonna hear me say that a lot.
But, just enjoy the process and really take each day as it is.
Do you believe you're a better pitcher today, and if so, why?
I believe I'm a better person.
It's honestly lived experiences.
You know, my mentors, my parents, everybody I've ever talked to is always just a boatload of life experience, and that comes in different doses.
I'd say I'm the same kid with the same dream as always.
But yeah, I just have more experience to re-rely on and lean on.
