Cleveland's Pengelly takes in spring training, preps for first full season with Single-A Jays

DUNEDIN, Fla. — Rio Rancho native Dayne Pengelly has worn a lot of different hats in the last five years. 

From Cleveland electric blue, to Pima Community College orange, transitioning to Embry-Riddle Community College royal blue and eventually Lobo cherry red. 

A work ethic grown on the mound at Cleveland High’s “Shock Yards” allowed the local right-handed pitcher to climb the proverbial baseball color wheel.

But whatever uniform or color he’s wearing, his dedication does not flinch. Even while wearing Blue Jay blue in the presence of MLB all-stars and MVP candidates.

“It's definitely cool to just be like, ‘Oh, hey, there's Vlad (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.),” Pengelly said. “Or, 'Hey, there's Kevin Gosman.’ That's cool, but that's kind of about it.”

Sharing weight rooms and facilities with MLB stardom would be a fantasy for most 23-year-olds, but it is a reality for the Storm alumni, a reality he is still settling into after signing a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays this past July.

“It's definitely really weird,” Pengelly said. “This time last year, I was already eight games deep in the season. It definitely feels crazy to be saying, ‘Oh, hey, I'm actually playing and training at a spring training stadium because I'm with an affiliate.’”

Since then, the newly turned 23-year-old has been focused on one thing: Doing all in his power to help his team.

“Going out there and showing that I can throw strikes with all my pitches and just being dominant in the zone,” Pengelly said. “You can only control yourself, so that's controlling how many strikes you throw, getting in the zone, and not letting hits or adversity scare you away from getting outs for your team.”

Pengelly made four appearances for the Single-A affiliate Dunedin Blue Jays last summer, finishing with a 3.18 ERA and two scoreless outings across 11 1/3 innings.

Set for another stay in Dunedin, Pengelly will take his small taste of pro ball as a learning experience into his first full season.

“It definitely helped to show what I need to focus on,” Pengelly said. “Really try to build on what I worked on (in the offseason). It wasn't just like, ‘I went and pitched and got some innings in;’ no, I definitely took some notes on what will help me get better from that little stint I had.”

On top of his Single-A introduction, Pengelly was shown the ropes in the MLB Draft League while playing for the State College Spikes for two summers in college.

“Schedule-wise, it's pretty spot on,” Pengelly said. “Six days a week with one off day, if you're not throwing, or if you're not in that game, you go to the field and get your throwing done. Once you get your throwing done, you go do your lift. And once your lifts are done, you get dressed out, watch the game, and support your teammates. Competition-wise, it was pretty great. We faced some really good teams. Looking at a bunch of those guys, most were drafted and signed from the draft league this past summer.”

Combining his two seasons, New Mexico’s own held a combined 3.28 ERA in his time in Pennsylvania, punching 52 strikeouts in 49 2/3 frames. 

Pengelly was the lone player from the Land of Enchantment at State College, and finds himself in a similar position now in the Toronto organization, moving from collegiate programs from players across the country to a professional franchise with talent from around the world.

Playing for an MLB affiliate, Pengelly has already reached an exclusive group of New Mexicans who can say they made it this far. While he represents his state proudly, does it feel like he is carrying them on his shoulders?

Just like a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gym session can’t intimidate the young pitcher, any outside pressures or nerves won’t crack his process.

“I'm just out there trying to give it all I got every day, no matter what, just trying to get a job done,” Pengelly said. “I don't really think about that while I'm out there, thinking about how I was a free agent or how I'm from New Mexico. Obviously, I've thought about it. I want to represent New Mexico well and show what it has to offer for baseball, but it's not the main motivating factor. I'm just trying to do good for the team at the end of the day.”

If the newly minted Blue Jay prospect can go from community college baseball to professional baseball in just four years, the sky is the limit on what the next four years could look like.

“Hope I got a wife, my family is near me, and I'm playing in the major leagues.”