Whalen Re-Signs Coming Off Breakout Season
The Kitchener Panthers are excited to announce the signing of local Infielder, Stephen Whalen (Heidelberg, ON), for the 2023 season.
The 25 year old infielder will be suiting up for his fifth season with the Panthers this summer, coming off of a breakout campaign in 2022. His .302 batting average, 4 home runs, 31 RBI and 25 runs scored across 34 games all set career highs which he will be looking to build upon in 2023. He also picked up 3 hits, including a home run in 3 playoff games.
Whalen has been a key piece in the order of the University of Waterloo batting order over the past few years, with his biggest season coming in 2019 in which he hit .426 on route to winning the OUA Silver Slugger award at 3rd base.
Stephen looks set to break the IBL 100 games played mark this season as he has appeared in 87 to date. Over that span, he has picked up 79 hits, 7 home runs, 47 RBI and has scored 45 runs.
With his consistent growth year by year in the IBL and versatility positionally, the Panthers are very optimistic about the kind of player Stephen has the potential to grow into as he approaches his prime years.
Panthers GM, Mike Boehmer, comments “we are happy to welcome back local ballplayer Stephen Whalen, who will be in his 5 th year with the Panthers. Stephen is a University of Waterloo student athlete who can play all infield positions. Stephen has a strong arm and hit .302 in 34 games last season. We really like Stephen’s versatility and expect him to have a very good 2023 season.”
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