Thomas Pannone has a front-row seat as Blue Jays look to take flight

TORONTO --- Thomas Pannone took some time Tuesday to reflect on what has essentially been his first full season in the big leagues.

The Blue Jays left-hander and Cranston native broke spring training on the 25-man roster and has made 31 appearances, including six starts. Pannone has been optioned and recalled on six different occasions between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo, and he was at Rogers Centre to begin this three-game series against the Red Sox.

"I think it all [...]

TORONTO --- Thomas Pannone took some time Tuesday to reflect on what has essentially been his first full season in the big leagues.

The Blue Jays left-hander and Cranston native broke spring training on the 25-man roster and has made 31 appearances, including six starts. Pannone has been optioned and recalled on six different occasions between Toronto and Triple-A Buffalo, and he was at Rogers Centre to begin this three-game series against the Red Sox.

“I think it all comes down to learning from those bad outings that you had,” Pannone said. “You come back into the locker room, get in that video room, see what you did wrong and take it from there.”

The 25-year-old former Bishop Hendricken star made his debut last season and totaled 12 appearances, working to a 4.19 earned-run average. A couple of tough relief appearances have swelled Pannone’s ERA to 6.35 this season, but his strikeout rate is considerably improved. Pannone has fanned 63 in 66 2/3 innings as opposed to just 29 in 43 innings last year.

“I’ve learned you’ve got to have a forgetful mind,” Pannone said. “Forget even the good ones, and forget the bad ones. Just move on and stay positive.”

Pannone was acquired by the Blue Jays at the July 2017 trade deadline, sent from the Indians to Toronto along with infielder Samad Taylor for right-handed reliever Joe Smith. That deal allowed Pannone to join what is something of a golden generation of Blue Jays prospects. Tuesday found 16 players on the club’s active roster born in 1993 or later.

“There was too much talent in Triple-A and Double-A last year and the year before that not to see it coming,” Pannone said. “It’s coming like a wave. I was just blessed that I got traded over here to be a part of it.”

Some famous surnames dot the spaces above the lockers in the Blue Jays clubhouse. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Cavan Biggio are both sons of Hall of Famers while Bo Bichette’s father, Dante, hit 12 of his 274 career home runs with Boston during his final season in 2001. Vladimir Guerrero, Craig Biggio and the elder Bichette have been frequent guests both in the stands and in the locker room while watching their sons start on the path they once traveled.

“Growing up I loved watching Vlad’s dad,” Pannone said. “He had one of my favorite swings to watch. To be able to play with him and be able to walk up to him and say hi every day, it’s pretty cool. To see him play, it’s sick.”

The younger Guerrero leads that trio with 15 home runs – Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been the most potent of the baby Blue Jays with his 19. Toronto is on a season-high seven-game losing streak and could use some pitching help from Pannone and his mates. Certain spots in the lineup appear to be set for years to come.

“This is an organization that you see what they’re doing,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Although they have struggled lately with wins and losses, they’re growing together. They did it in the minor leagues and now you see them around.”

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25