Kitchener adds to local flavour with pair of infield signings

KITCHENER - A couple of Kitchener Panthers mainstays will patrol the infield again in 2024.

Infielders Stephen Whalen and Nick Parsons have re-signed with the team.

Whalen is in his sixth IBL season, all with the Panthers. The Heidelberg native has a career batting average of .259, and has played a ton of baseball at Jack Couch Park over the years.

On top of his time with the Panthers organization, Whalen also spent a number of years with the OUA’s Waterloo Warriors.

The rec and leisure grad posted a .229 batting average in 29 games for the Panthers last season. He had 24 hits, including two home runs, a career-high seven doubles, and 17 RBI.

His on-base percentage bumped up to .314 during the regular season, thanks to 11 walks.

For Parsons, he enters his third IBL season.

The Waterloo native is expected to be a big part of the infield. Offensively, Parsons posted a .283 batting average in 2023, and played in a number of positions on the diamond in his 20 games.

Parsons is in his second season with the University of Saint Francis Cougars in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he has posted a .390 AVG this season.

He has 10 home runs and 46 RBI, as well as a .516 on-base-percentage, and is one of the better Canadians in US college baseball this season.

Previously, he played for the Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks (OUA).

PHOTO CREDIT: Dan Congdon Photography

The Panthers begin its 105th IBL season at home to the Hamilton Cardinals on Thursday, May 16. Get your season tickets, FLEX packs or single-game tickets HERE.

STEPHEN WHALEN

Position: Infielder

Hometown: Heidelberg, ON

Height: 6’1”

Weight: 205 lbs

Hits/Pitches: L/R

Birthdate: Nov. 17, 1997

Pronunciation: Stee-vin Way-linn

NICK PARSONS

Position: Infielder

Hometown: Waterloo, ON

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 215 lbs

Hits/Pitches: R/R

Birthdate: June 17, 2000

Pronunciation: Nick Par-sins