Junior outfielder Logan Fernandez makes sure to get in his cuts for Mount Carmel.
He generates explosive power with his bat but also boasts a special side hustle as a barber.
“My game has improved a lot because I have all of these great guys around me,” he said. “They’re here to help me get better and the coaches have trust in me to move me around the order.”
Fernandez’s effort was made to order Saturday. He came through with an RBI double and also scored a run, sparking the Caravan to a 4-2 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in Chicago.
Notre Dame-bound junior starter Conor Eleteny struck out seven and permitted just two hits in five innings for host Mount Carmel (13-6). Junior outfielder Evan Bradford had two hits and engineered a late rally with a two-out, two-run double in the seventh inning for St. Laurence (9-11).
Fernandez, meanwhile, has broken through in his first full year as a starter for the Caravan. He’s batting .349 with 15 hits, 12 runs, five doubles, two triples, a home run and eight RBIs.
He also has an unorthodox role on the team as a self-taught barber. He picked up the craft by studying YouTube videos. It sparked his interest, and he even created a handle, “Nando Chopz.”
“To be honest, I just wanted to cut my own hair,” Fernandez said. “Barber prices are really high, and I wanted to practice on myself.
“I could probably make money off it, but I like giving my friends cuts, guys like Mario in the clubhouse the other day.”
Junior infielders TJ McQuillan and Mario Medina each decided to take a turn in the chair.
“He gave me a cut when we were in Florida,” McQuillan said. “I came home, and my mom was pretty upset with me.”
All kidding aside, McQuillan has been impressed by Fernandez this season.
“In all seriousness, he’s a great guy,” McQuillan said. “He didn’t play much last year because we had two seniors. I think he’s one of the best outfielders in the state.
“He showed (Saturday) he has a lot of speed and pop in his bat.”
Medina described Fernandez as a glue guy who connects with players regardless of background.
And the barber thing is pretty cool, too.
“He cut my hair a couple of days ago and I really liked it,” Medina said. “He’s a great guy. He’s very outgoing and sociable. He’s very competitive
“He has worked very hard on his game to get better. You can see that.”
His place in the batting order shows Fernandez’s versatility. He was in the coveted cleanup spot Saturday against the Vikings. During a recent game, he batted leadoff.
“I think this is my first year of just taking that role of helping my guys out,” Fernandez said. “We’re about to get into the Catholic League games against some of our toughest games, and I think we are trying what works best.”
The 6-foot-1 Fernandez has athleticism, power and speed. He has range in the outfield and the ability to generate runs with his quickness and aggressive play.
“I try to make contact,” he said. “With my speed on the bases, I’m always a threat to turn that into a triple. I think the way my athleticism plays into my game just makes a good all-around player.”
Fernandez makes the trek to the Mount Carmel from Humboldt Park on the city’s West Side.
Playing baseball for the Caravan completes the circle.
“When one of my teammates makes a great play, that just gets me,” Fernandez said. “Anthony Chavez made a great play at first. Just seeing my teammates out there really gets me going.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
