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: Carmel
Preseason Rank: 28
2014 Record: 24-10-1
Conference: ESCC
IHSA Class: 3A
Head Coach: Dan Giesey
Playoff Run: Lost in Regional
2014 Final Rank: NR  
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Pitchers: 7

TOP PLAYERS
Name, Position, Class (College Commitment)
Cooper Johnson, C, 2016 (Mississippi)
Joe Santoro, CF/LHP/RHP, 2016
Garrett McClellan, RHP, 2015
Jordan Fuller, RHP, 2015
Austin Knauer, OF, 2015
Justin Ehren, OF, 2015
Skylar Williams, RHP, 2015
Jonas Lehman, RHP, 2015
Matt Collins, SS, 2016

X-FACTOR
Cooper Johnson is one of the top catch-and-throw prospects in the entire country, and will slide behind the plate for Carmel now that Ian Kristan (Bradley) has graduated. The Ole Miss commit has added strength to his 6-foot-2, 200-pound frame this winter, and has impressed with his bat as well. Johnson’s 1.79-1.90 pop times are elite, and he’ll be followed closely by professional scouts over the next two seasons.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
According to head coach Dan Giesey, shortstop Matt Collins has Divison-I potential in the middle of the diamond. This winter Collins impressed throwing 85 mph across the diamond, ran a 7.13 60, and produced 86 mph exit velocity at the PBR Preseason All-State Showcase.

KEY PLAYERS LOST
Quinten Sefcik, RHP (Illinois)
Ian Kristan, C/1B (Bradley)
Dalton Wright, RHP
Brian Stanislawski, RHP
Cal Coughlin, 3B/RHP, 2016 (transfer to Lake Forest HS)

STAT RAT
Carmel has finished a combine 49-20-1 over the past two seasons, starting six seniors each year in the lineup. Despite the losses of Sefcik, Wright, and Stanislawski, pitching should still be a strength, as last year’s staff posted a 1.89 overall team ERA, and six arms return. Garret McClellan was 5-0 last season with a 2.10 ERA, Jordan Fuller went 3-1 with 3 saves and a 2.46 ERA, while Joey Lehman and Skyler Williams will both have larger roles this season after posting 0.00 ERAs as setup men last season. Joe Santoro will start in centerfield, but will see time on the mound, as the ambidextrous pitcher has touched 88 mph with both arms. Santoro is garnering significant Division-I recruiting interest, and is also a top level student.

OUTLOOK
According to Giesey, inexperience could be a factor as the Corsairs could potentially start six juniors and one sophomore. In that mix, however, are Johnson and Santoro, who were outstanding as sophomores and will step into a leadership role as juniors. Carmel’s six returning pitchers, and 15 overall pitchers on the staff should help ease the loss of significant innings (137 total) from Sefcik, Wright, and Stanislawski.

BOTTOM LINE
Pitching and defense will once again be the strength. Carmel will compete in the always tough ESCC with Joliet Catholic, Nazareth, Benet and the rest for the conference title. Though they lack the experience, the ESCC is usually a dog fight, and don’t be surprised to see the Corsairs near the top at the end of the season. They’ll look to improve on last year’s one-and-done IHSA playoff appearance.

Preseason Countdown

+ Top 50 Preseason Countdown Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2016 Rankings

+ Updated Illinois 2015 Rankings

+ June Event Schedule