- Full name Anthony Pannone
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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A 16th-round pick in 2000, Pannone pitched for the National Baseball Congress World Series champion Liberal Bee Jays that summer and signed as a draft-and-follow the next May. Though overshadowed by Francisco Liriano and Ryan Hannaman, he pitched more consistently than either and led Hagerstown in wins and opponent batting average (.247) last year. Pannone doesn't throw hard (88-91 mph), but gets outs with the downward movement on his sinker. He also throws a slider, curveball and changeup and needs to improve his overall command. He has a pretty good idea of what he's doing on the mound, which puts him ahead of other young pitchers deep in the farm system. Pannone has a chance to be a big league starter but is more likely to find his way into a middle-relief role if he gets there. He's headed for high Class A in 2003.