Blue Jays: Five under the radar prospects for 2018

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 18: Toronto Blue Jays' players Wilson baseball gloves lay in the dugout during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park on May 18, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Texas won 6-2. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 18: Toronto Blue Jays' players Wilson baseball gloves lay in the dugout during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park on May 18, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. Texas won 6-2. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Blue Jays gloves are set for play near the dugout before play against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays April 5, 2005 at Tropicana Field. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Thomas Pannone- Pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired Thomas Pannone along with Samad Taylor from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for reliever Joe Smith at last summer’s trade deadline. General Manager Ross Atkins and company were familiar with Pannone from their days with the Tribes front office.

Pannone will likely begin the season as a member of the Buffalo Bisons Triple-A staff but could make his way north of the border at some point during the season should he continue to progress. Last season Pannone went 9-3 with a 2.36 earned run average and a 0.995 WHIP while fanning 149 in 144.2 innings between High-A and Double-A last season.

The 23-year old owns a 3.16 earned run average with a 9.4 SO/9 rate in 102 minor league games that include 76 career starts. The southpaw limited left-handed batters to a .181 average last season while right-handed hitters hit an uptick better with a combined .217 average versus  Pannone.

The former 9th round pick of the Indians could make leaps and bounds toward reaching the majors this season if he can excel at the Triple-A level. Pannone is definitely someone to keep an eye on this summer as he definitely has Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro in his corner.