Archbishop Moller and Jackson begin the year as the favorites in Division 1 along with Mason and La Salle. Defiance is the defending Division 2 champion in the Ohio baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Video: Adam Ward highlights vs. Lakota WestAdam Ward was a member of the Mason Comets team in 2016.
2017 Ohio Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Archbishop Moeller (Cincinnati)
Head coach: Tim Held
2016 record: 19-10
Four starters return for Archbishop Moeller, including Ohio signee
Sebastian Fabik, who had a 4-1 pitching record and .306 batting average last year. Also back is infielder
Jack Gallagher, who batted .317 and catcher
Tyler McDonough, who batted .282.
See last season's Ohio baseball computer rankings2. Jackson (Massillon)
Head coach: Kevin Miller
2016 record: 29-1
Jackson won its first 29 games of the season last year before falling to Stow-Munroe Falls in the playoffs. Top returning players for Jackson include catcher
Dillon Dingler and right-handed pitcher
Kyle Nicolas. Jackson has been one of the top teams in the state the past three seasons.
See the MaxPreps Ohio baseball pro photo galleries3. Mason
Head coach: Curt Bly
2016 record: 22-8
Mason has averaged 24 wins a season for the past four years and it returns four key players from last year's team. Players to watch for the Comets include catcher
Michael Hall, right-handed pitcher
Will Maclean, right-handed pitcher
Joey Bowlin and outfielder
Jace Robinson.
See last season's MaxPreps Ohio baseball playoff brackets4. La Salle (Cincinnati)
Head coach: Joe Voegele
2016 record: 25-7
Tyler Wardwell of La Salle.
File photo by Michael Noyes
The Lancers finished one run away from a Division 1 state championship, as they fell 2-1 to Pickerington North in the title game. La Salle returns one of the state's top shortstops in
Tyler Wardwell. The Lancers also have one of the state's top juniors in first baseman
Griffin Merritt.
See last season's MaxPreps Ohio baseball stat leaders5. Defiance
Head coach: Tom Held
2016 record: 29-2
Defiance has won back-to-back Division 2 state championships and three titles in the past four years. The Bulldogs return outfielder
Braden Frederick, who hit .382 last season and went 5-0 on the mound. Defiance will miss the graduated Shay Smiddy, who was a MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American last year.
