Working the Waiver Wire: September 1st

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  • By Chris Houston

    Last Updated on September 1, 2025 3:25 pm by Paul Williamson | Published: September 1, 2025

    With the fantasy playoffs kicking off in some leagues this week, we are focusing today on players who could be helpful additions to playoff rosters. Read along as we discuss two high-upside pitching prospects, each making an impressive MLB debut this past Friday, a young power bat and a surging deep-league diamond in the rough. Got it? Good. So let’s get started, y’all!

    Jonah Tong – SP – NYM – 47% Yahoo

    Ah, yet another intriguing Mets pitching prospect. Considering how good the recently-called-up Nolan McLean has looked, then factor in Tong’s solid debut and toss in Brandon Sproat’s potential, and it seems almost like the team in Queens is growing them on trees these days.

    Tong, the number 52 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, made his first major-league start on Friday, striking out six while surrendering six hits, four runs (only one earned) and no walks in a win over the Marlins. It was a promising debut for the young right-hander and the Mets have already announced that Tong will be getting at least one more turn in the rotation, as he is scheduled to start on September 5th on the road against the Reds.

    Tong’s 179 strikeouts between Double-A and Triple-A led the minors this year, so the strikeout potential is certainly there. And with his unorthodox high-arm angle, he induced about 21 inches of vertical break on his 95.4 mph four-seam fastball in Friday’s start. The righty’s secondaries–a changeup, a 12-6 curve and a slider–appeared to still need some refinement, but the fastball, which he used 61% of the time, seemed more than capable of handling the heavy lifting.

    Tong was previously mentioned by one of my colleagues in a waiver wire article last week, yet his roster percentage remains too low. Managers’ hesitation appears to be justified, however, considering that the youngster’s spot in the rotation is not guaranteed. Tylor Megill is currently on a rehab assignment, working his way back from an elbow injury. But if the 22-year-old can manage to impress in the hitter-friendly Great American Ballpark next week, then perhaps he can solidify his spot in the rotation gong forward. Managers should pick up the high-upside arm for this upcoming start and go from there.

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    September 1, 2025, 3:25 pm