Preseason Power 25 Countdown: No. 7 Mount Carmel

NEWCOMER TO WATCH

Julien Hachem, LHP, 2022: Hachem emerged as a high-follow left-handed pitcher at the PBR Fall Championships and committed to Oklahoma soon after. The 6-foot-6, 219-pound, imposing figure, currently ranked No. 8 in the state, is one of the many talented young arms for the Caravan and may feature the highest ceiling out of all of them. Hachem re-confirmed his status as one of the top arms in the state with his bullpen at this winter’s Underclass Invitational. At the event, Hachem showed an up-tick in velocity sitting 84-87 mph, touching 88 with the same lively finish he showed in the fall. Where he really impressed was the action and feel he demonstrated with his off-speed offerings. Hachem’s best secondary was an aggressive curveball with tight spin and a short, late wrinkle at 76-78 mph. 

Despite being inexperienced at the varsity level, Hachem’s stuff seems to be ready to take on the talented CCL competition, along with the other top teams in the state. Regardless of how much the talented sophomore is used this spring, he will be a name that should be on many people's radars, for the rest of his high school career. 

Julien Hachem (2.16.20)

X-FACTOR

Edward Howard IV, SS, 2020: The Oklahoma commit has been on the rise seemingly ever since we laid eyes on him as the starting second baseman for the Caravan his freshman season. Howard has done nothing but shoot up recruiting and draft boards since and is currently ranked No. 1 in Illinois, No. 2 overall and No. 10 on the PBR Draft Board, which includes every draft eligible prospect from every level. 

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound, do-it-all talent, has game-changing abilities all over the field; much like 2018 grad, CF Alek Thomas, who was a 2nd-round draft pick by the Diamondbacks out of HS. Howard is the best defensive shortstop in the state and has become a force with the bat. Howard’s presence in the lineup and his ability to change the game in so many ways will be a huge benefit to the already talented crop of Mount Carmel position players. As Howard goes so will the Caravan in 2020.

Ed Howard (5.23.19)

OUTLOOK

The Caravan had a disappointing 2019 going 19-16 before ultimately losing in the Sectional Sem-final to CCL-Blue rival St. Rita. Luckily for Mount Carmel, they return almost all of the impact players from 2019, all a year-more experienced. Another reason for optimism is a plethora of young talented arms the Caravan have coming through the system.

Besides the aforementioned sophomore, Julien Hachem, the Caravan have junior RHP Tom Egan (uncommitted) and sophomores Elias Hachem (twin brother of Julien), Shane Curtin and INF/RHP Jorgie Vazquez. These underclassmen are not out on an island however. Senior RHP/1B Nick Miketinac (Butler) brings a wealth of experience to the table and will hopefully take some pressure off the young talent. Egan, saw plenty of time on varsity as a sophomore as well and parlyaed it into an impressive summer, one which saw him represent Illinois at the Future Games. At the event, Egan pounded the zone behind a fastball that sat 84-86 mph and showed off two of the better breaking balls on Team Illinois. Egan continues to see his stuff ascend, most recently at the Preseason All-State and is ready for a breakout junior campaign. 

Tom Egan (2.9.20)

It remains to be seen how many innings the quartet of sophomores will earn this spring but they all have the talent to do so if needed. The most polished of the group is arguably Curtin. Curtin lacks the stature of the Hachem’s but he has a highly-athletic, clean arm and pounds the zone with a three-pitch repertoire, including a low-80’s fastball and late-fading changeup. Some other options for coach Hurry on the mound and positionally could be juniors OF/RHP Sam Del Valle and 1B/RHP Christopher Whelton.

When it comes to offense the Caravan return six starters, four of whom are currently committed to Division I schools. The Caravan also should field one of the top infields in the state with Howard at SS, 3B Joshua Houston (2020; Southern), 2B Tony Livermore (2020; Northwestern) and 1B Nick Miketinac (2020; Butler). Houston has a compact, strong build and is a natural right-handed hitter with a knack for the barrel while Livermore is a smooth defender with a prototypical top-of-the-order, left-handed hitting profile. 

Filling out the offensive lineup will be the likes of senior’s INF Ethan Imlach (Purdue-Northwest), Jason Thompson (uncommitted), C Jack Gilbert (uncommitted). Junior Justin Lynch and sophomore’s INF Jorgie Vazquez and C Colin Horneman will also be committed for spots.

BOTTOM LINE

The depth of the lineup, the return of the top two arms (Egan and Miketinac) as well as the infusion of young talent, especially on the mound, should be reason for excitement for the Caravan. If the young arms can hold their own at the varsity level, with a few of them emerging as more than just that, the Caravan will be as dangerous as any team in the CCL and the state.

This team has senior leadership, experience, two-sport talents who won a state championship in football this fall, plenty of youthfulness and a ton of intrigue. Do not be surprised if this is the year for Mount Carmel to make a deep run to Joliet.