IBL's Kitchener Panthers sign Janisse

The Intercounty Baseball League’s Kitchener Panthers have signed veteran right-hander Skylar Janisse (Maidstone, Ont.). Photo: Kitchener Panthers

March 15, 2022

Official Kitchener Panthers News Release

The Kitchener Panthers have signed right-handed pitcher Skylar Janisse (Maidstone, Ont.).

Touted as a great teammate and a bulldog competitor, Janisse projects to be another impact signing for the Panthers this off-season. A six-year pro, Frontier League Champion, Junior National Team graduate and 2011 New York Yankees’ draft pick, Janisse will serve as a great veteran presence in the locker room.

A Windsor Selects alum, the 6-foot-4 righty 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 the Yankees to select him in the 34th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. Opting to pursue collegiate baseball instead of signing, he went on to post a 2-1 record with a 0.95 ERA in 20 innings 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. 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 six wins, 69 strikeouts and a 3.46 ERA.

Janisse has since pitched in six independent professional seasons, recording a career record of 18-10 in 274 1/3 innings.

His time in independent ball is highlighted by his two seasons with the Joliet Slammers (Illinois) of the Frontier League. In 2017, he had a 6-3 record, a 3.61 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. In 2018, he made 25 appearances out of the bullpen, striking out 44 in 50 innings pitched, en 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, winning an OBA title in 2009.

“It will be a pleasure to coach Skylar once again,” said Menard. “He’s a big game pitcher who gives his all every time he steps on to 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.”

For his part, Janisse is excited to join the Panthers.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be signed by such a great organization,” he said. “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!”