The way back is open.
Thomas Pannoni (29), a foreign pitcher who played for the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO), was designated for assignment (DFA) by the Milwaukee Brewers of the Major League Baseball (MLB) on July 2 (KST).
Pannoni received an emotional call-up to the big leagues on March 29. It was six months after signing a minor league deal with Milwaukee last December, and nearly four years after his personal first since September 2019. But his “major league dream” was short-lived. His only appearance came on April 1, when he pitched out of the bullpen against the Pittsburgh Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and four strikeouts in 2⅔ innings.메이저놀이터
After being removed from the 40-man roster, Pannoni was placed on waivers. He can either stay with Milwaukee’s minor league team or hit the market as a free agent.
His move comes at a time when his former team, KIA, is looking for a replacement. KIA has been struggling with foreign pitcher Adonis Medina after his contract ended in failure. Medina was dropped from the first-team roster on March 22 after going 2-6 with a 6.05 ERA in 12 games. He’s essentially been in the rotation.
Panoni has emerged as a potential replacement. Pannoni stepped into Ronnie Williams’ shoes last year, going 3-4 with a 2.72 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 82⅔ innings over 14 games. He also played an important role on the mound, pitching in the middle innings of the wild-card deciding game against KIA.
He was well-received because he has a steady delivery and a pitching style that lefties struggle with. He already has experience with KIA, so he should have no problem adjusting to the KBO. While he left a bit to be desired in the big leagues, he wasn’t bad in the minors, going 3-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 11 games.
In many ways, he’s a pitcher that KIA could really use. Kia general manager Shim Jae-hak is also in the United States looking for a pitcher. There is no better way to quickly assess the future of Panoni. For now, it’s his choice. If he decides to hit the free agent market, his chances of making the switch to the KBO will be even better.