There’s a more accurate NY Mets player to compare to Cam Schlittler than Nolan McLean

Cam Schlittler handled the New York Mets with ease on Friday night. An early frontrunner for the AL Cy Young, the 25-year-old New York Yankees pitcher has been compared to Nolan McLean based on excitement and an incredible start to his big league career. The McLean vs. Schlitter debate was one New Yorkers had coming into the start of this weekend’s Subway Series. However, it’s not McLean we should be comparing.

Taken in the 7th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Schlittler rose above expectations quickly to become one of the league’s best young arms. It’s the outcome the Mets are hoping for with their other highly-prized pitching prospect, Jonah Tong. Wouldn’t you know, Tong went several picks before Schlittler in that same draft.

It’s Jonah Tong, not Nolan McLean, we should eventually compare to Cam Schlittler

Tong is a few years younger than Schlittler, turning 23 in June. For him to be a few years behind in progress isn’t a shocker. Tong accelerated through the minors quickly and has now stalled in Triple-A.

High school draftees versus college ones have different expectations. Those colleges years are often considered as minor league service time. It’s rare for a high school draft pick to jump through the minors quite as quickly as someone who played college ball. Schlittler, from Northeastern University in Boston, has the kind of experience Tong didn’t receive until going pro.

Tong, now 22 but considered to be in his age 23 season, has this full season to play catch up with where Schlittler was last season. It’s fair enough and needed as he has struggled in the minors this year. Through 9 starts, he has a 5.68 ERA with 5.7 BB/9 highlighting some of the lowlights.

Fortunately, Tong hasn’t been hit all that badly with 6.6 H/9. His season in Syracuse has included both promising and incredibly disappointing starts. 6 earned runs in a 1.2 inning performance this past week, it came after 11 innings combined in his last two outings and only 3 earned runs charged to him. His bigger issue than hits in abundance have been the quality. Tong has surrendered 8 home runs this year already. That’s exactly half of the 16 he has in his entire minor league career.

The McLean vs. Schlittler debate won’t end anytime soon because each debuted in the same season with excellence. McLean, drafted a year later and in the third round, is much different. You can compare the two, but it’s Tong who went a few picks before Schlittler who deserves to be weighed against the young Yankees star just as much.

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