MaxPreps 2017 North Dakota preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Defending champion Dickinson is the team to beat, but Century, Bismarck and Sheyenne will also compete; Thompson is defending champ in Class B in North Dakota.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Kevin Askeland
By
Mar 17, 2017, 1:34pm
Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
Watch Tyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) make one of the top catches during the 2016 season.

2017 North Dakota Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Dickinson
Head coach: Pete Dobitz
2016 record: 27-9

Dickinson finished in third place in the Western Dakota Association, but went on to defeat Sheyenne for the Class A state championship. Dickinson returns one of the state's top infielders in Cameron Jorda, who earned all-state honors last year. Also back is Lucas Jones, who earned second team all-state honors.

See last season's North Dakota baseball computer rankings

2. Century (Bismarck)
Head coach: Mike Gustavsson
2016 record: 31-7

Century captured first place in the Western Dakota Association standings, but it lost to Dickinson in the semifinals and finished in third place. Century loses state player of the year Dalton Feeney to graduation, but returns second team all-state pitcher Ian McDonald.

See the MaxPreps North Dakota baseball pro photo galleries

3. Thompson
Head coach: Brady Schwabe
2016 record: 22-2
Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Thompson dominated at the Class B state tournament, outscoring opponents 17-3 en route to the title. Thompson is also primed for a repeat as it returns all-state infielder Calen Schwabe and sophomore catcher Caden Schwabe.

See last season's MaxPreps North Dakota baseball playoff brackets

4. Bismarck
Head coach: Jim Patton
2016 record: 26-11

Bismarck reached the Class State A tournament finishing in second place in the Western Dakota Association, but lost two straight at the state tourney. Bismarck won the Class A state tournament in 2014, but only two juniors return from last year's squad. Bismarck will miss all-state outfielder Jaxon Ford, pitcher Jordan Mann and infielder Mason Fode.

See last season's MaxPreps North Dakota baseball stat leaders

5. Sheyenne (West Fargo)
Head coach: Joel Swanson
2016 record: 26-12

Sheyenne reached the Class A state championship last year in its first year as a varsity program. As a result, coach Joel Swanson was named state coach of the year. While all-state pick Mike Glanville has graduated, all-conference shortstop Denver Blinn returns.

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