Defending champion Bryant is in a youth movement, opening the door for Catholic, Conway, Greenbrier and Cabot in the Arkansas baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Diving catch straight into wall
See an Oregon player go all-out for the catch in a state title game last season.2017 Arkansas Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Catholic (Little Rock)
Head coach: Dustin Strube
2016 record: 22-7-1
The Rockets reached the Class 7A state semifinals last year before falling to Conway. However, Catholic returns most of the pitching staff from last year's team that racked up 22 wins. They include senior
Noah Fowler (4-1, 3.70 ERA), junior
Evan Hiatt (7-2, 1.62 ERA) and junior
Hank Hannah (5-1, 1.99 ERA). Both Hiatt and Hannah have committed to Arkansas. Shortstop
Cameron Tissue is the top returning position player after batting .359 last year.
See last season's Arkansas baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard
2. Conway
Head coach: Noel Boucher
2016 record: 16-8
The Wampus Cats fell to Bryant in the Class 7A state championship game last year. Conway returns a number of players from last year, including senior pitchers
Kolby Reck and
Cade Tucker, along with junior pitchers
Jordan Wicks and
Andrew Hreha. Conway will miss All-State pitcher Colin Cahill, who has graduated.
See the MaxPreps Arkansas baseball pro photo galleries3. Greenbrier
Head coach: Tye Glover
2016 record: 14-9
Greenbrier lost head coach Terry May, who stepped down after last season. The good news for new head coach Tye Glover, however, is that he has one of the state's top players in pitcher
Hunter Milligan. As a junior, Milligan went 4-2 with a 1.50 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 42 innings pitched. He is committed to play at Mississippi State next year.
See last season's MaxPreps Arkansas baseball playoff brackets4. Bryant
Head coach: Travis Queck
2016 record: 28-2
It will be a youth movement for the Hornets, who have been one of the top programs in the nation the past few seasons. Two starters return from last year's state championship team and both are potential All-State candidates.
Seth Tucker returns at pitcher and outfielder while UCLA signee
Beaux Bonvillain is back at pitcher and outfielder. The Hornets also have a new head coach in Travis Queck, who replaces Kirk Bock. Along with winning a state championship last year, Bock also won his 600th career game.
See last season's MaxPreps Arkansas baseball stat leaders5. Cabot
Head coach: Ronnie Goodwin
2016 record: 15-9
The Panthers return six of the top eight offensive players from last year's team, led by All-State selection
Denver Mullins. A catcher, Mullins batted .292 last year with a pair of home runs. The pitching staff should also be solid, as only one senior graduated from last year's staff.
