The Illinois high school baseball season kicks off on March 16, opening day for regular season action under IHSA regulations. Over the next two weeks, leading up to opening day, we'll be publishing our team previews ahead of the 2026 spring season, touching on programs spanning all state classifications, counting down through the official Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 Rankings.
Perennially, we've submitted a preseason questionnaire to high school head coaches across the entire state. Their responses have been flooding in and we're using the detailed insight they've provided in our team-by-team preseason analysis.

Our 2026 preseason coverage continues today.

High School: Mount Carmel
Preseason Rank: No. 5
Head Coach: Brian Hurry
Classification: 4A
Conference: Chicago Catholic League (Blue)
2025 Record: 25-14
Key Players Lost: Kolin Adams

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ROSTER PREVIEW

Returning Positional Starters: 7
Returning Starting Pitchers: 3
Returning Relief Pitchers: 3
Team Strengths: Veteran experienced team.

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DATA CENTER

TEAM RANKS:

This data is sourced from the 2026 Illinois winter showcase circuit and the 2025 Illinois State Games, compiled by Prep Baseball. We took the top-three metrics recorded by players from each high school in the following categories. Here is how Mount Carmel's top-three performers averaged across each category:

• Avg. Exit Velocity: 96.97 mph (No. 4 in the state)
• Max Exit Velocity: 105.0 mph (T-No. 4 in the state)
• Max FB Velocity: 88.67 mph (T-No. 26 in the state)
• Top 60-Yard: 6.69s (No. 6 in the state)

INDIVIDUAL DATA STAND-OUTS:

• Anthony Chavez (2026) - 1B/OF - 6-1.8 , 215 lbs
  
  • max EV: 108.0 mph (T-No. 10 in IL, T-No. 6 in 2026 class)
  • avg EV: 103.9 mph (T-No. 3 in IL, No. 2 in 2026 class)
  • bat speed: 79.1 mph (No. 9 in IL, No. 7 in 2026 class)
  • rot. accel.: 32.0g (No. 1 in IL, No. 1 in 2026 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.68s (97th pctile. in IL, No. 14 in 2026 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.60s (95th pctile. in IL, T-No. 16 in 2026 class)
• Brady Holland (2026) - SS/2B - 5-11 , 168 lbs
  
  • avg EV: 91.1 mph (83rd pctile. in IL, 73rd pctile. in 2026 class)
  • bat speed: 73.4 mph (87th pctile. in IL, 72nd pctile. in 2026 class)
  • rot. accel.: 19.0g (88th pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • vert. jump: 28.6 in (96th pctile. in IL, No. 15 in 2026 class)
• Connor Elenteny (2026) - RHP/RHP - 6-3.4 , 203 lbs
  
  • max fastball: 90.0 mph (89th pctile. in IL, 82nd pctile. in 2026 class)
• Daniel Bachler (2027) - 3B/SS - 6-4.1 , 185 lbs
  
  • max EV: 100.0 mph (86th pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • bat speed: 73.4 mph (87th pctile. in IL, 87th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.79s (90th pctile. in IL, 88th pctile. in 2027 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.63s (90th pctile. in IL, 86th pctile. in 2027 class)
• Haiden Lajcin (2026) - OF/3B - 5-8.2 , 139 lbs
  
  • rot. accel.: 20.0g (91st pctile. in IL, 83rd pctile. in 2026 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.73s (95th pctile. in IL, No. 18 in 2026 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.59s (97th pctile. in IL, T-No. 10 in 2026 class)
• Hayven Gamboa (2028) - C/OF - 5-9.1 , 156 lbs
  
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.81s (89th pctile. in IL, No. 20 in 2028 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.64s (87th pctile. in IL, T-No. 23 in 2028 class)
  • vert. jump: 25.2 in (80th pctile. in IL, 85th pctile. in 2028 class)
• Jake Matise (2026) - RHP - 6-0 , 190 lbs
  
  • FB spin: 2218 rpm (85th pctile. in IL, 79th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • CB spin: 2342 rpm (85th pctile. in IL, 74th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • SL spin: 2364 rpm (84th pctile. in IL, 72nd pctile. in 2026 class)
• Joey Ireland (2026) - SS/2B - 6-0.1 , 192 lbs
  
  • max EV: 103.0 mph (95th pctile. in IL, T-No. 23 in 2026 class)
  • avg EV: 93.3 mph (91st pctile. in IL, 83rd pctile. in 2026 class)
  • bat speed: 73.8 mph (89th pctile. in IL, 75th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.74s (94th pctile. in IL, T-No. 21 in 2026 class)
• Jonathan Osornio (2026) - 3B/1B - 6-1.1 , 201 lbs
  
  • max EV: 104.0 mph (97th pctile. in IL, T-No. 14 in 2026 class)
  • avg EV: 92.1 mph (87th pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • bat speed: 76.2 mph (97th pctile. in IL, T-No. 22 in 2026 class)
  • 10-yd. split: 1.65s (84th pctile. in IL, 77th pctile. in 2026 class)
• Logan Fernandez (2026) - OF - 6-0 , 176 lbs
  
  • bat speed: 73.8 mph (89th pctile. in IL, 75th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • 60-yd. dash: 6.67s (97th pctile. in IL, T-No. 13 in 2026 class)
  • vert. jump: 26.8 in (89th pctile. in IL, 80th pctile. in 2026 class)
• Mario Medina (2026) - C/3B - 5-8.9 , 194 lbs
  
  • max EV: 100.0 mph (86th pctile. in IL, 78th pctile. in 2026 class)
  • avg EV: 93.7 mph (92nd pctile. in IL, 86th pctile. in 2026 class)

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X-FACTOR

LHP Ian Tosi (2026; Miami commit) returns after missing 2025 due to injury. Entering last season, Tosi had earned the reputation as a competitor and a winner, dating back to his freshman year when he first starred for the Caravan. A talented southpaw who can throw all of his pitches for strikes while challenging opposing hitters in the zone, he could be the difference in helping Mount Carmel get to State in 2026. Although the Caravan have another pair of high-level seniors due for big seasons in RHP Connor Elenteny (Notre Dame commit) & RHP Jake Matise (Lewis commit), look for Tosi to help round out what very well could be the top starting pitching rotation in the state.

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NEWCOMER TO WATCH

C/OF Hayven Gamboa (2028) & OF/RHP Cylis Rainey (2029) are a pair of young prospects within the program to watch coming into 2026. Both were recent standouts at our Preseason All-State: Underclass; with Gamboa moving up in our recent 2028 rankings release (now ranked No. 57), and Rainey now checks into the 2029 rankings at No. 6. Gamboa, a right-handed hitter, is a versatile defender who could provide depth behind the plate or in the outfield for the Caravan, while also being a 6.81 runner. Rainey, a right/right two-way prospect, had one of the louder showings at the All-State event; peaking at 91 mph from the outfield and 96 mph off the bat, while also sitting 83-87 mph with his fastball. Although Mount Carmel will be an older, veteran group in 2026, keep an eye on these two going forward for Coach Hurry’s program.

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗹-𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀: 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 ⭐️

OF/RHP Cylis Rainey (Mount Carmel, 2029) put together a loud all-around showing at the event, cementing himself as a name to know in the freshman class. @ShooterHunt

◾️ 6-foot, 185-pounds
◾️… pic.twitter.com/SplFIouw9m

— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 5, 2026

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TEAM OUTLOOK

Mount Carmel brings back substantial talent and experience from a 2025 squad that went 25-14 and reached the sectional final, setting up the Caravan for another strong campaign in the competitive CCL Blue. With seven returning positional starters and a deep pitching staff, head coach Brian Hurry has the pieces in place for continued success. "We return a number of starters from the last two seasons going back to 2024," Hurry said. "We believe this experience will help prepare us for all the adversity and challenges we know we will face in 2026."

The offensive attack will be anchored by multiple D1 commits who rank among the state's elite hitters. 1B/OF Anthony Chavez (2026; Illinois) was a standout at the Super 60 and leads the way with jaw-dropping metrics, including a 108 mph max exit velocity and 103.9 mph average exit velocity that ranks second in his class. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound slugger also posted elite rotational acceleration numbers (32 g) while showing impressive speed with a 6.68 second 60-yard dash. CIF/OF TJ McQuillan (2026; Wake Forest) is another physical left-handed hitter in the middle of the lineup. Another Super 60 participant, McQuillan reached up to 105.5 mph off the bat at the event, and could be the catalyst for this team in 2026. SS/2B Joey Ireland (2026; Illinois) provides another potent bat from the middle infield, posting a 103 mph max exit velocity earlier this winter, and combining power with athleticism. The trio gives Mount Carmel two legitimate impact bats in the heart of the order, who have been contributing at the varsity level for years.

The depth of offensive talent extends well beyond the three previously mentioned. 3B/1B Jonathan Osornio (2026; Cowley JC) brings another power bat with a 104 mph max exit velocity and elite bat speed, while C/3B Mario Medina (2026; Davenport) provides consistent contact ability with a 93.7 mph average exit velocity. Speed and athleticism come from OF Logan Fernandez (2026; Triton JC), who ran a blazing 6.67 second 60-yard dash, and OF/3B Haiden Lajcin (2026), who combines speed (6.73 60-time) with impressive athleticism (T29.8" vertical). INF Brady Holland (2026; Georgetown) is yet another Division 1 bat in the lineup to know, who will likely team up with Ireland up the middle. Junior 3B/SS Daniel Bachler (2027) adds to the infield depth for the Caravan and will see time on the mound as well.

On the mound, Mount Carmel returns three starters and three relievers from 2025, led by RHP Connor Elenteny (2026; Notre Dame), who brings 90 mph velocity to anchor the rotation. RHP Jake Matise (2026; Lewis) offers quality depth and has long been a performer for this Caravan program, while RHP Thomas Sosinski (2026; Lake Land) provides additional depth on the pitching staff, paired with a fastball last seen up to 87 mph. As mentioned in the "X-Factor" section, Mount Carmel will get a big boost by getting LHP Ian Tosi (2026; Miami) back in 2026. The program has depth in the younger classes as well, with sophomore C/3B Kayden Adams (2028) and C/OF Hayven Gamboa (2028) looking to make imacts on varsity this spring along with RHP/OF Cylis Rainey (2029). Mount Carmel's offensive metrics rank among the state's best, with the team's average exit velocity (96.97 mph) ranking fourth statewide and their speed (6.69 second average 60-time) placing sixth in Illinois.

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BOTTOM LINE

Mount Carmel's combination of elite offensive talent and veteran experience positions them as a legitimate contender for both CCL Blue and state titles. The ceiling is exceptionally high with an astounding 16 college commits throughout the senior class, while also factoring in that if this pitching staff can continue to develop, the Caravan might very well be playing in Joliet at seasons end.

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Find more information on the 2026 Mount Carmel program below:

+ Follow them on X: @caravanbaseball
+ Visit the Prep Baseball Illinois Preseason Power 25 homepage

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