Rhode Island’s Pannone Signs With Cleveland Indians
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Cranston native and former Bishop Hendricken First Team All-State selection Thomas Pannone has signed a professional baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians.
Pannone, who was selected by the Chicago Cubs a year ago in the 33rd round, passed up on the Cubs offer to play college baseball. Originally planning on attending the University of Miami, Pannone changed his plans and decided on the College of Southern Nevada, attending a junior college and making himself eligible for the Draft this year. If Pannone went to Miami, he would have had to wait until after his junior year to be eligible for the Draft again under NCAA rules.
Pannone was solid this season at Southern Nevada, compiling a record of 6-2 with a 1.84 earned run average. He also struck out an impressive 78 batters in just 53.2 innings pitched.
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Pannone signed his contract with the Indians this week after being selected in the ninth round by Cleveland in the 2013 MLB Draft. The contract that Pannone signed is reportedly worth $120,000.
Pannone, a left-handed pitcher whose fastball can reach the low-90's, will begin his professional career as a pitcher, something he's not used to after playing outfield and pitching at the high school and junior college levels. The southpaw led the Hawks to the 2012 state title, pitching in the game that clinched a state championship for Hendricken.
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