Archbishop Moeller seeks fourth state championship in five years. But also watch out for Westerville Central, Mason, Defiance and Walsh Jesuit in the Ohio baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Nick Bennett, Archbishop Moeller
File photo by Alyson Boyer Rode
2016 Ohio Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Head coach: Tim Held
2015 record: 31-3
The Crusaders have won three state championships in the past four years. With a deep pitching staff, Archbishop Moeller will likely be favored to win it all again in 2016. The team's top two pitchers include
Nick Bennett (7-1, 0.90 ERA) and
Cameron Junker (4-0, 2.29 ERA) while catcher
Patrick Mullinger (.324) and outfielder
Kyle Butz (.318) are the top two returning position players.
See last season's Ohio baseball computer rankings
2. Westerville Central
Head coach: Jeff Keifer
2015 record: 24-6-1
Westerville Central had its best season ever as it reached the state finals and fell to Archbishop Moeller in the championship game. Five starters return from that squad, including all-state pitcher
Gavin Lyon (111 strikeouts) and all-district shortstop
Noah West (.402). Second team all-district catcher
Daniel Kreuzer (.402) also returns, along with all-district outfielder
Jeremiah Clarke (.450).
See Ohio baseball pro photo galleries3. Mason
Head coach: Curt Bly
2015 record: 25-8
The Comets are regularly one of the top contenders in Division I and with five returning starters they should be in the mix again.
Ronnie Engelman returns at pitcher and infield (.354) while
Vince Vannelle also returns in the infield (.321). Sophomore shortstop
Nick Northcut (.373) is a potential MLB Draft pick in 2018.
See last season's Ohio baseball playoff brackets4. Defiance
Head coach: Tom Held
2015 record: 28-5
The defending Division II state champions had their worst league finish (7-2) since 1991, yet they still managed to claim a state title. Second team all-Ohio pitcher
Shay Smiddy returns. He had an 11-1 record and batted .384 last year. Defiance also has five other returning lettermen, including senior pitcher
Abram Smith (4-1, 1.60 ERA).
See last season's Ohio baseball stat leaders5. Walsh Jesuit (Cuyahoga Falls)
Head coach: Chris Kaczmar
2015 record: 26-3
Walsh Jesuit expects to send about 10 players on to college ball next year, topped by all-American candidate
Dominic Canzone, who is headed to Ohio State, and junior
Brendan Regan, who has committed to Michigan State. Two other seniors to watch include pitcher
Andrew Kukla and second baseman
Bryce Marshall.
