MaxPreps 2016 California Central Section preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Buchanan (Clovis)
Head coach: Tom Donald
2015 record: 29-4

The Bears finished the season as the Division I section champions and a No. 6 ranking in California in 2015. Buchanan had little trouble in the section playoffs, beating Clovis 15-1 in the championship game. The Bears return three starters from that team, including Oregon State commit Grant Gambrell, a pitcher who has hit 93 mph with his fastball. Fresno State commits Zach Presno (catcher) and JT Arruda (second base) are also back. Two Fresno State commits who did not start last year include Jamal O'Guinn, a junior shortstop transfer from Sanger, and Chris Lopez, a senior outfielder.

See last season's Central Section baseball computer rankings

2. Clovis
Head coach: James Patrick
2015 record: 24-11



Clovis and Buchanan have met in the Division I section finals the past two seasons, with Buchanan winning last year and Clovis in 2014. The Cougars could make it again, thanks to five returning starters, including three all-conference selections. Zac Whittaker (LHP), Jeremy Garcia (SS) and Chet Allison (Jr., OF) all made the all-league team last year while Clayton Alexander (Jr., 1B) and Johhny Wiltfang (3B) also started. Pitching, speed and experience will take Clovis far in 2016.

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3. Stockdale (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Brad Showers
2015 record: 14-15

The Mustangs finished in the middle of the pack last year in the Southwest Yosemite League, but they return three key players from last year in seniors Cole Tucker and Jacob Sanchez and sophomore Jalen Smith. Tucker hit .305 last year while playing multiple positions and pitching for the Mustangs. Sanchez hit .404 as the team's centerfielder while Smith hit .241 and played second base.

See last season's Central Section baseball playoff brackets

4. Centennial (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Dan Durham
2015 record: 24-6



While Centennial graduated eight starters from last year's team, the Golden Hawks have averaged over 20 wins a season for the past 10 years. Coach Dan Durham returns one of the section's best pitchers in Ben Bristol, who went 9-0 as a junior. Austin Eknoian, a 6-foot-3 lefthander, also returns on the mound, but could be the team's best hitter, according to Durham. Ian Reed gives Centennial a fast athlete with a strong arm in the outfield while Nick Millan is expected to be a solid defender at shortstop.

See last season's Central Section baseball stat leaders

5. Clovis West (Fresno)
Head coach: Kevin Patrick
2015 record: 20-12

The Golden Eagles have averaged 23 wins over the past 11 seasons and expect to contend in 2016. Clovis West has a young, but talented, squad led by senior all-area selection Ian Ross at shortstop. Top juniors include Travis Turney (OF) and Nick Falco (P), while Evan Rocha (OF, IF) is the top sophomore.