MaxPreps 2016 Washington preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Puyallup
Head coach: Marc Wiese
2015 record: 21-5

The Vikings came up short of repeating as state champions last year, falling to Newport in nine innings in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. However, Puyallup is still the team to beat thanks to a deep pitching staff that includes Washington commit Christopher Micheles and returning starter Austin Stump.

See last season's Washington baseball computer rankings

2. South Kitsap (Port Orchard)
Head coach: Marcus Logue
2015 record: 20-7



The 2015 state champions will have to replace all-state pitcher Mac McCarty, the Tacoma Area Player of the Year. However, all-conference players Austin Hackman (senior, OF), Lucas Knowles (senior, P), Alex Garcia (sophomore, C), Dusty Garcia (sophomore, OF), Nathan Archuleta (junior, OF) and Drew Worden (sophomore, IF) all return.

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3. Mercer Island
Head coach: Dominic Woody
2015 record: 21-7

The Islanders defeated Shorewood 1-0 in 13 innings for the Class 3A state championship last year. Top pitcher Peter Lopes (8-0, 1.21 ERA) returns along with Harrison Goonewardene (3-0, 1.70). Three of the team's top offensive players also return in Noah Hsue (.365), Michael Petrie (.342) and Anthony Scalzo (.347).

See last season's Washington baseball playoff brackets

4. Lake Washington (Kirkland)
Head coach: Derek Bingham
2015 record: 17-6



The Kangaroos were bounced from the Class 3A playoffs in the first round, but seven of the team's top nine hitters from last year return. Outfielder Connor Johnson batted .361 while outfielder Jake Wikel batted .346 and infielder Austin Lively hit .333. Johnson is also the top returning pitcher, going 6-2 with a 1.52 ERA in 2015.

See last season's Washington baseball stat leaders

5. Central Kitsap (Silverdale)
Head coach: Bill Baxter
2015 record: 23-5

The Cougars reached the Class 3A state semifinals last year and they return the top three hitters from last year in shortstop Nick Roberts, outfielder Aki Buckson and outfielder Kendal Yaegle. Central Kitsap also has returning starters at third base with Nolan Wiler, second base with Griffin McCormick, catcher with Bryce Higgins and first base with Eric Halvorson.