By Drew Locascio
Illinois Scouting Director

Follow @PBRIllinois

The Illinois high school season kicked off yesterday, 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: St. Charles North
Preseason Rank: 4
2016 Record: 33-5
Conference: Upstate Eight
IHSA Class: 4A
Head Coach: Todd Genke
Playoff Run: 3rd in State
2016 Final Rank: 5
Returning Starters: 6
Returning Pitchers: 6

Top Players

KEY PLAYERS LOST
John Legare, RF (Purdue)
Brendan Joyce, CF (Parkland JC)
Jack Lambert, LHP (Parkland JC)
Kyle Novotney, LF
Zach Fick, INF (Illinois-Springfield)
Luke Corcoran, 1B

X-FACTOR
2017 Tyler Mettetal. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound South Carolina recruit, is a true two-way standout and coming off of Tommy John this spring. Pre Tommy John, Mettetal was a three-pitch strike-thrower with a fastball that worked in the 86-89 mph range. Mettetal was also a middle-of-the-lineup run-producer at the plate. As of right now, expect to see him in the offensive lineup every day, mixing in at first base and in the outfield. He is still working his way to the mound and the hope is he can contribute by mid season or the end of the year. If Mettetal is able to work his way back by the end of the season, he gives the North Stars an ace to help navigate their way through the postseason.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH
LHP/OF Steven Hamer 2018. Hamer is a two-way talent who will add overall depth to the North Stars. On the mound, the southpaw is a strike thrower who pitches in the low-to-mid 80’s. Hamer should compete for a spot in the North Stars outfield.

Steven Hamer (2.19.17)

STAT RAT
.369 BA, 9 2B, 2 3B, 23 runs and 31 RBI. SS Zach Mettetal’s stat line entering the state finals in Joliet last June. Mettetal, a Memphis commit, is a four year varsity starter and will be one of the senior leaders for the North Stars in 2017.

OUTLOOK
The North Stars, fresh off a third place finish in 2016, have an experienced group coming back ready to make another run at state. Despite losing 19 wins on the mound from last year’s squad, depth on the mound should be a strength this season. Four senior right-handers Westin Muir, Tim Hasto, Bennett Christiansen and Ryan Litavecz all saw time last year and all had an ERA under 2.12. Hasto went 5-0 and gave up only two earned runs in 27 innings entering the state finals. Junior southpaw’s Steven Hamer and Nick Skurka are expected to step up in their first full season on varsity and contribute. The X-Factor to the staff will be senior left-hander Tyler Mettetal. If Mettetal can work his way back by the end of the spring, they will have an ace to lean on in the playoffs. Out of those crop of arms, someone will need to emerge as a closer for the North Stars. Offensively, seniors should fill up most of the lineup card. Senior’s Tyler and Zach Mettetal will lead the way along with fellow Division I commit, INF Sam Faith. Faith is a switch-hitter with the ability to play anywhere on the infield. Zach Mettetal is a four year starter and will once again man the shortstop position. Two senior outfielders Brenden Norberg and Raph Rhoades will also find themselves in the lineup. Norberg hit .425 with two doubles last season in limited at-bats. Senior INF Anthony Delisi hit .333 in limited at bats last year as well. Two juniors who could potentially make an impact offensively are OF Tommy Nelson and OF Steven Hamer. Catching is one spot of concern for the North Stars this spring. Junior Sean Nemetz, a solid catch and throw backstop, has the talent to win the job.

BOTTOM LINE
The North Stars have an experienced group back looking to improve on a third place finish last season. Head Coach Todd Genke is also welcoming back Tyler Mettetal, who missed most of 2016 due to injury. Mettetal, a game changer with his arm and bat, could be the x-factor to help push the North Stars over the top in 2017.

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

preseason countdown