By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Follow @PBRIllinois

The Illinois high school season kicked off today, March 13, the first day for regular season games.

Over the last several weeks, we have been rolling  out team previews of high school teams all across the state and  across all classifications, eventually launching our Preseason Power 25. 

We have been sending out our annual Preseason Questionnaire to coaches all across the state and as the responses flood in we will bring you a snapshot of what to expect along with top players and keys to success for that particular team.

 

Team: Mount Carmel
Preseason Rank: 7
2016 Record: 27-11
Conference: Chicago Catholic League - Blue
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Brian Hurry
Playoff Run: Sectional Semi-final
2016 Final Rank: 11
Returning Starters: 5
Returning Pitchers: 4

Top Players

KEY PLAYERs LOST
AJ Lewis, 3B/C (Missouri)
Jeremy Houston, SS/RHP (Indiana)
Conor Spear, RHP (St. Joseph’s)
Kenny Koval, C (St. Joseph’s)

X-FACTOR
The Pitching Staff. The Caravan lineup is as good as anyone’s in the state but depth in the pitching staff and top-end arms remain the question. If guys can step up behind RHP’s Cameron Hupe and Diego Munoz, the Caravan will have as good of a chance as anyone to make it to state.

STAT RAT
.394 BA, 7 2B’s, 5 3B’s, 10 HR’s, 45 RBI and 46 runs. That is the 2016 stat line for OF Alek Thomas, the top ranked junior in the state, in 38 games. Thomas, a Texas Christian commit, was a First Team All-State selection in 2016.

Alek Thomas (2.19.17)

OUTLOOK
The Caravan have one of the most dynamic offensive units in the state. They lost two Division I recruits AJ Lewis and Jeremy Houston to graduation but have plenty of high-level returners and young talent ready to step in as well. Mount Carmel returns one of the most dynamic prospects in the state, left-handed hitting junior outfielder Alek Thomas. Thomas patrols center fielder as good as anyone and has the ability to hit for power and average at the plate. He also causes havoc on the bases with his 6.6 speed. Division I recruits, 1B Bobby Seymour and INF Zion Pettigrew are two seniors who will anchor the middle of the order. Left-handed hitting Seymour, is a prototypical power-hitting first baseman, while Pettigrew has a knack for finding the barrel. Junior Diego Munoz started on the infield last year as a sophomore and is talented on the mound as well. To fill out the rest of the lineup card Head coach Brian Hurry will have a number of talented juniors to choose from. Juniors INF Malik Peters, INF Christian Lucio, UTIL Jake Kapers, C/RHP Zac Styka and C Niko Pozzi all bring something to the table and will be called upon to contribute this year. Kapers found his way into the lineup last year as a sophomore in a variety of ways. Lucio is a left-handed hitting middle infielder with above-average speed who has shown well this winter. Pitching remains the biggest hurdle for the Caravan in 2017. Last season, the pitching staff was untested and inexperienced. Four of the arms return from last year and the hope is that they are ready to take the next step. Senior RHP Cameron Hupe, who has been a starter since he was a sophomore, returns as the ace of the staff. Hupe has a mid-to-upper 80’s fastball and has pitched in a lot of big games in his career. After Hupe, look for junior Diego Munoz, senior LHP Seamus Sjostrom, senior RHP Macauley Kilbane, junior RHP Anthony Scanlon and junior Zac Styka to eat innings. Lucio and Thomas could throw some innings if need be as well. Out of those names, the Caravan need a few to step up and win some big games.  

BOTTOM LINE
The Caravan have the positional talent and offense to compete for another Class 4A state title and compete for a Chicago Catholic Blue championship. In 2017 it all boils down to its pitching. If the crop of arms can limit opponents’ damage, then the Caravan’s offense should be able to power them to Joliet.

Make sure to follow @pbrillinois on Twitter for the most up-to-date coverage throughout the season.

preseason countdown