New lineup
Panthers add youth to start 2018 season
KITCHENER — The Kitchener Panthers knew they needed to replace three veteran bats going into the 2018 season, including Triple Crown winner Sean Reilly. They weren’t expecting they’d be without one of their best pitchers, too.
Starting pitcher Jasvir Rakkar, the former Chicago Cubs prospect who had a 2.27 ERA last year, is undergoing surgery later this month to fix a torn ligament in his knee.
Rakkar, who was injured in the playoffs last summer, was still planning to pitch until a few weeks ago when his surgery was scheduled sooner than expected. He’s not likely to play this season.
“He’s one of our biggest losses in the off-season,” said Scott Ballantyne, the Panthers general manager.
The club’s Cuban pitchers Noelvis Entenza, Yonder Martinez and Miguel Lahera, plus shortstop Yorbis Borroto, aren’t expected to arrive until next week. That means the Panthers will start the season on Sunday in Barrie with one of the youngest, most athletic lineups in recent memory.
Gone are Reilly, Justin Interisano and Josh Garton to the revived Guelph Royals, along with manager Dave teBoekhorst. Reilly and Interisano combined for 91 hits and 26 home runs for Kitchener last year.
But Ballantyne isn’t expecting the 2018 Panthers to become a bunch of single-slapping hitters
under new manager Luke Baker. There’s still some power in the bats of centrefielder Tanner Nivins, Borroto and infielder Brian Burton, who’s returning to the Panthers for the first time since 2013.
Stratford native Keegan Marsden, a standout left-handed hitter at Goldey-Beacom College in Delaware, is also expected to contribute some offensive punch.
“I wouldn’t expect us to be a bunch of Punch and Judy hitters,” Ballantyne said. “We still have some guys who can hit the ball deep, but we do like the athleticism that we’ve added, and getting a little bit younger.”
Marsden will likely play some first base in an infield corps that includes second baseman Mike Andrulis, Borroto at shortstop, Mike Glinka at third and super utility player Colin Gordner.
Another new face in the infield includes Waterloo’s Chris Iltshishin, who hit .283 at Frontier Community College in Illinois this season. Both Marsden and Burton can also play some outfield, joining Nivins, Ryan Douse, Zarley Cina and Andy Leader who will be patrolling the green at Jack Couch Park.
With Rakkar out, Christian Hauck, a Laurier Golden Hawk who pitched in Burlington the past two seasons, could be handed some starting duties early this season. Mike Schnurr, who has excelled in the reliever’s role, may also be asked to start some games, Ballantyne said.
Righty Adrian Yuen was added in an agreement with Brantford that sent pitcher Matt McGovern to the Red Sox. Waterloo’s Brady Schnarr, a teammate of Iltshishin’s at Frontier College, and Cambridge’s Jordell James, have been given spots in the bullpen.
The pitching staff will also include three lefties, with rookie Damian Clarke, University of Waterloo’s Stephen Gade and veteran hurler Matt Vickers.
Mike Gordner will shift behind the plate and become the team’s everyday catcher, backed up by Listowel native Reece Reading, a junior-aged player from Missouri’s Three Rivers College.