South is favored to repeat as state champion, but Chugiak, Sitka, Juneau-Douglas and Service have all shown the ability to challenge for the title in the Alaska baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Diving catch straight into a wallTyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) made one of the top catches during the 2016 season.2017 Alaska Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. South (Anchorage)
Head coach: Taylor Nerland
2016 record: 15-3
South captured the large schools state championship in 2016 behind the play of Gatorade State Player of the Year
Jonny Homza, a shortstop/pitcher who threw a complete game and hit the go-ahead home run in the state final against Chugiak. South also returns
Parker Johnson, an outfielder who made the all-tournament team.
See last season's Alaska baseball computer rankings
2. Chugiak (Eagle River)
Head coach: Steve Straub
2016 record: 13-4
One year removed from winning the large schools championship, Chugiak finished second last year behind South. The Mustangs return a pair of All-Tournament players from last year in infielder
Jacob Kindred and infielder
Matt Hess. Chugiak also won the Class A American Legion title over the summer.
See the MaxPreps Alaska baseball pro photo galleries3. Sitka
Head coach: Matt Way
2016 record: Unknown
Sitka captured third place at the large schools state tournament last year, defeating Ketchikan 6-5 for the honors. The Wolves returns a pair of All-Tournament selections in
Vaughn Blankenship, a junior infielder/pitcher, and
Ky Stockel, a senior infielder/pitcher.
See last season's MaxPreps Alaska baseball playoff brackets4. Juneau-Douglas (Juneau)
Head coach: Sheldon Winters
2016 record: 8-7
Usually a key player at the state tournament, Juneau-Douglas did not advance to the state tournament during the 2016 season. That could change in 2017, however, as Juneau Post 25, which includes a number of players who will play for Juneau-Douglas this spring, went 17-1 in the Alaska American Legion AA National Division standings.
See last season's MaxPreps Alaska baseball stat leaders5. Service (Anchorage)
Head coach: Ken Wooster
2016 record: 4-3 in league play
Like Juneau-Douglas, Service did not play in last year's state tournament, but it did have a strong American Legion tournament season. Service upset American Legion teams from South, Chugiak, Wasilla and Juneau en route to reaching the championship game, where it lost to Kenai. Service also advanced to the regionals, where it went 1-2.
