Thomas Pannone

Thomas Edward Pannone (born April 28, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers, and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers.

High school and college
Pannone attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick, Rhode Island, where he was an outfielder as well as a pitcher. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 33rd round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign and attended the College of Southern Nevada. Pannone stopped playing outfield in college, focusing solely on pitching. In his lone season of college baseball, he posted a 6–2 win–loss record, 1.84 earned run average (ERA), and 78 strikeouts in 53$2/3$ innings pitched.

Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians selected Pannone in the ninth round of the 2013 Major League Baseball draft. He made his professional debut with the Rookie-level Arizona League Indians. He made 14 relief appearances in 2013 and pitched to a 1–0 record, 9.00 ERA, and 20 strikeouts in 16 innings. He remained in the Arizona League for the 2014 season, going 5–0 with a 3.20 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 45 innings, and was named a post-season All-Star by the league. Pannone made his full-season debut in 2015, pitching the entire season with the Single-A Lake County Captains. In 116$1/3$ total innings over 27 appearances, he posted a 7–6 record, 4.02 ERA, and 120 strikeouts. Pannone began the 2016 season with Lake County, where he was named a mid-season All-Star, before being promoted to the High-A Lynchburg Hillcats in July. In total, he made 25 appearances in the 2016 season and went 8–5 with a 2.57 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 133 innings.

Pannone was assigned to High-A Lynchburg to open the 2017 season. In early May he was promoted to the Double-A Akron RubberDucks, and was named an Eastern League All-Star at mid-season.

Toronto Blue Jays
On July 31, 2017, Cleveland traded Pannone and Samad Taylor to the Toronto Blue Jays for Joe Smith. He was assigned to the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and remained there for the rest of the 2017 season. On the year, Pannone posted a 9–3 record, 2.36 ERA, and 149 strikeouts in 144$2/3$ innings. On November 20, 2017, Pannone was added to Toronto's 40-man roster.

On March 16, 2018, Pannone was suspended for 80 games after testing positive for dehydrochlormethyltestosterone, a banned performance-enhancing substance. After returning from suspension, he was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. On August 9, Pannone was called up by the Blue Jays. He made his first MLB start on August 22, and took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles. Pannone recorded the win, allowing just one hit and two walks with three strikeouts in seven innings. Pannone totaled 12 appearances for the Blue Jays, 6 of them starts, recording a record of 4–1 in 43 innings.

Pannone opened the 2019 season with the Blue Jays as a member of the bullpen. On April 14, Pannone pitched an immaculate inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out Avisail Garcia, Brandon Lowe, and Daniel Robertson on 9 consecutive strikes. It is the third immaculate inning in Blue Jays team history; Steve Delabar and Roger Clemens are the other two who have managed the feat.

On August 24, 2020, without having made an appearance on the season, Pannone was designated for assignment following the promotion of Travis Bergen. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.

Los Angeles Angels
On November 24, 2020, Pannone signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization. Pannone spent the 2021 season with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, but struggled to a 5–11 record and 7.07 ERA in 24 games (21 of them starts). He elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.

Boston Red Sox
On March 11, 2022, Pannone signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox. In 14 games (12 starts) for the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox, he went 5–3 with a 4.57 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 63.0 innings of work. On June 27, Pannone was released by the Red Sox organization.

Kia Tigers
On June 28, 2022, Pannone signed with the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. In 14 starts down the stretch for the Tigers, Pannone worked to a 3–4 record and 2.72 ERA with 73 strikeouts in $82 2⁄3$ innings pitched.

Milwaukee Brewers
On December 16, 2022, Pannone signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers organization. He began the 2023 season with the Triple–A Nashville Sounds, where he made 11 appearances (9 starts) and registered a 2.70 ERA with 50 strikeouts in $53 1⁄3$ innings pitched. On June 28, 2023, Pannone had his contract selected to the major league roster. He tossed $2 2⁄3$ innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in his only appearance, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts. On June 30, Pannone was designated for assignment by Milwaukee. Pannone cleared waivers and was released by the Brewers on July 5.

Kia Tigers (second stint)
On July 6, 2023, Pannone signed a $350,000 contract to return to the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. He became a free agent following the season.

Chicago Cubs
On December 18, 2023, Pannone signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. In 19 starts for the Triple–A Iowa Cubs, he compiled a 4–8 record and 4.37 ERA with 87 strikeouts across $90 2⁄3$ innings pitched. Pannone was released by the Cubs organization on July 17, 2024.

New York Yankees
On July 19, 2024, Pannone signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees organization.