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

1. Iowa City West
Head coach: Charlie Stumpff
2015 record: 34-12

Iowa City West fell to Southeast Polk in the Class 4A state championship game last year, but one of the state's top pitchers returns in senior Austin Miller (6-2 record). He's joined by junior all-district third baseman Iziah Ono-Fullard, who batted .432 last season, and all-district second team pitcher Tanner Lohaus, who went 6-2.

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2. Jefferson (Cedar Rapids)
Head coach: Kyle Rodenkirk
2015 record: 29-8



Jefferson returns one of the state's top players in Spencer Vanscoyoc, who went 5-1 and earned all-district and all-state honors last year. He's joined by all-district second baseman Tyler Roeder (.381 batting average).

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3. Waverly-Shell Rock (Waverly)
Head coach: Casey Klunder
2015 record: 35-4

Waverly-Shell Rock won the Class 3A state championship last year, beating Harlan 11-1 in the championship game. Leading hitter Dalton Steere returns after batting .541 last year. He earned all-state second team honors along with first baseman Joshua Buresh. Shortstop Dalton Graven was a first team all-state pick.

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4. Southeast Polk (Pleasant Hill)
Head coach: Scott Belger
2015 record: 33-13



Southeast Polk captured the Class 4A state championship last year, beating Iowa City West 6-2 in the final. Austin Martin returns at catcher after earning second team all-district honors with a .314 batting average. He's joined by third baseman Cole Hauser and utility Thomas McLaughlin, each of whom earned second team all-district recognition. Hauser batted .309 while McLaughlin batted .286 with a 5-2 pitching record.

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5. Kennedy (Cedar Rapids)
Head coach: Bret Hoyer
2015 record: 30-12

Kennedy reached the Class 4A semifinals, falling to Iowa City West 5-2. Kennedy will miss Zach Daniels, who earned State Player of the Year honors. However, four players who batted over .300 return, including Jacob Henry (.417) and Tyler Dralle (.396).