Jack Kenley, Houston
File photo by Andy Mitchell
2016 Tennessee Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Houston (Germantown)
Head coach: Lane McCarter
2015 record: 31-10
The Mustangs have five returning starters on offense from a team that fell one game short of reaching the Class 3A state championship game. Four players are headed to Division I schools, including shortstop
Jack Kenley (.457), catcher
Cullen Ray (.333), pitcher
Conrad Ray and outfielder
Ayrton Schafer (.304).
See last season's Tennessee baseball computer rankings
2. Farragut (Knoxville)
Head coach: Matt Buckner
2015 record: 41-8
After defeating Hardin Valley Academy several times last season, the Admirals lost to the Hawks in the Class 3A state championship game. Farragut returns one of the state's top shortstops in
Duncan Pence, who batted .385 with eight home runs. Farragut should also be solid on the mound with
Dylan Pacifico (8-1) and
Thomas Keyes (6-0) both returning.
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3. Christian Brothers (Memphis)
Head coach: Buster Kelso
2015 record: 36-9
The defending Division II Class AA state champions will be the favorites to win that title again in 2016. Five starters return from last year's squad, including pitcher
Michael Feather (4-0) and infielder
Landon Kelly (.382). Christian Brothers also has a prize transfer in junior pitcher
Weston Bizzle.
See last season's Tennessee baseball playoff brackets
4. Sevier County (Sevierville)
Head coach: Casey Taylor
2015 record: 36-6-1
Sevier County has a pair of talented pitchers in Tennessee-bound senior
Zach Lingenfelter and sophomore
Chase Wallace. As a freshman, Wallace found a spot on the Tennessee Baseball Reports Freshman/Sophomore all-state team. Sevier had one of the highest win totals in Tennessee last year with 36.
See last season's Tennessee baseball stat leaders
5. McCallie (Chattanooga)
Head coach: Greg Payne
2015 record: 26-10
Pitching depth won't be a problem, as McCallie figures to have 17 players with pitching ability on the squad, including 12 who played at the varsity level last season.
Carson Mckoon (4-1) is the top returning pitcher while
Ethan Cady (.326, 5 HR) returns at first base and
Quinn Smith (.315, 4 HR) is back at catcher.
