By Ryan Quigley
Illinois Scouting Director

Leading up to the start of the high school season, we will count down the Top 50 preseason teams every day as part of our comprehensive season coverage:

Team: St. Charles North
Preseason Rank: 14
2014 Record: 22-13
Conference: Upstate Eight (2^nd in 2014)
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Todd Genke
Playoff Run: Regional Champions, lost in Sectional Semi’s to Class 4A Runner-Up South Elgin
2014 Final Rank: NR
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 4

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Cory Wright, 1B/LHP, 2015 (Kansas State)
Kyle Khoury, C, 2015 (Morehead State)
Sam Hubbe, RHP, 2015 (Butler)
John Legare, OF, 2016
Brandon Joyce, OF, 2016
Angel Torres, IF, 2016
Sam Faith, IF, 2017
Zach Mettetal, IF, 2017
Tyler Mettetal, OF/LHP, 2017

X-FACTOR
Two-way talent Cory Wright went 6-1 on the mound with a 1.62 ERA in 2014, while also being a plus defender at first base. Wright also hit .347 with a team best 28 RBIs as a lead-off man. 

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
Twin brothers Zach and Tyler Mettetal both saw time on varsity as freshman, with Zach starting at shortstop. Zach is currently ranked No. 12 in the 2017 class, No. 90 in PBR’s National Rankings. Both possess strong physical frames, and Tyler has two-way talent on the mound, touching the mid-80’s with plus arm side run. 

Infielder Sam Faith is currently ranked No. 15 in the 2017 class, impressing this fall with his speed (7.18 60) and arm strength (82 mph across the infield). Faith is a switch-hitter with power potential from both sides of the plate.

STAT RAT
Catcher Kyle Khoury threw out more than 40 percent of base runners during the 2014 season. He also led the North Stars in home runs (3), and doubles (seven), while hitting .362.

OUTLOOK
Head Coach Todd Genke said, “We have six starters returning with plenty of experience after winning a tough regional last year (2-1 victory over Glenbard North). Our bullpen will need to be very good. We have depth but experience is limited”. Senior RHP Sam Hubbe has legitimate ace potential on the mound, impressing this winter with a fastball touching 90 mph, paired with a swing and miss 12/6 curveball. He should form a solid 1-2 punch with Wright at the top of the rotation.

BOTTOM LINE
St. Charles North has impressive depth with the senior leadership of Wright, Khoury, and Hubbe, while also boasting three of the top 20 players in the 2017 class in the Mettetal’s and Faith. Look for the North Stars to compete for the Upstate Eight Title with reigning champ Batavia, and make some noise with a potentially deep playoff run.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ 2015 Schedules Released

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule