PANTHERS SIGN VETERAN PRO CANADIAN PITCHER

The Kitchener Panthers are excited to announce the signing of 6’4 Right Handed Pitcher, Skylar Janisse (Maidstone, ON), for the 2022 season.

Touted as a great teammate and a bulldog competitor on the mound, Janisse projects to be another impact signing for the Panthers this off-season. A 6 year pro, Frontier League Champion, Junior National team member and 2011 New York Yankees draft pick, Janisse will be a great veteran presence in the locker room and appears primed to succeed in the Intercounty Baseball League.

An alumnus of the Windsor Selects program, Janisse was a member of the Ontario youth team at the Canada Cup, played in the Under Armour All-American game and was a member of the Canadian Junior National Team for three years throughout high school. This led to a selection in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees. Opting to pursue collegiate baseball instead of signing, Skylar went on to post a 2-1 record with a 0.95 ERA in 20 innings of work during his Freshman season at NJCAA D1 San Jacinto College (Texas). He then transferred to NJCAA D1 Salt Lake Community College where he went 3-1 with a 1.74 ERA, striking out 36 batters in 31 innings pitched. Janisse went on to play his final two years of college ball at NAIA powerhouse Oklahoma City University (Oklahoma), winning a Conference Championship in 2015 and having a standout 2016 Senior season where he recorded 6 wins, 69 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA.

Janisse has since pitched in 6 Independent Professional seasons, recording a career record of 18-10, 274.1 innings pitched, and 243 strikeouts. His time in Independent ball is highlighted by his two seasons spent with the Joliet Slammers (Illinois) of the Frontier League. In 2017, Skylar had a 6-3 record, a 3.61 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 62.1 innings pitched. In 2018, Skylar made 25 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 44 in 50 innings pitched, on route to helping the Slammers capture the Frontier League Championship. Most recently, Janisse pitched for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association in 2021.

Panthers Field Manager, Don Menard, has coached Janisse in the past with the Woodslee Orioles minor baseball organization, wining an OBA title in 2009. When asked about Skylar, he commented; “It will be a pleasure to coach Skylar once again. He’s a big game pitcher who gives his all every time he steps onto the mound and is always ready to battle for his teammates. He’s a great teammate on and off the field and is sure to be a favourite with the fans”.

When asked about the upcoming season, Janisse commented; “It’s an absolute pleasure to be signed by such a great organization. I can’t wait to take the field and play in front of the Panthers fans. Don (Menard) and I have a lot of history, he coached my Father in 1987 and myself twice in minor baseball. We’ve won championships together in the past and the goal is to win another one here in Kitchener for the Panthers fans. I can’t wait to get started!”

Welcome to Kitchener, Skylar!

Excited to see Skylar rack up the wins this summer in a Panthers jersey? Seasons tickets, flex packs and single game tickets can be purchased online under the tickets tab on kitchenerpanthers.com.

Interested in becoming a Kitchener Panthers sponsor? There are several sponsorship opportunities available for the upcoming 2022 season. Support a century-old community run organization while gaining exposure to a diverse and growing fan base. Send an email to panthersmarketing@yahoo.com for further details.