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

1. St. Mark's (Wilmington)
Head coach: Matt Smith
2015 record: 17-4

The Spartans have one of the best traditions in Delaware, winning seven state titles this century. St. Mark's lost to eventual champion Appoquinimink in the second round of last year's playoffs, but it returns one of the state's top pitchers in first team all-state pick Andrew Reich. Honorable mention all-state third baseman Tyler Kaczmarczyk  also returns.

See last season's Delaware baseball computer rankings

2. Caravel (Bear)
Head coach: Paul Niggebrugge
2015 record: 17-6

Caravel has, perhaps, the state's best player in pitcher Brandon Fraley. Named the state MVP by American Family Insurance, Fraley went 6-0 on the mound with 74 strikeouts. Bryce Carney, a second team all-state pitcher, also returns for a team that reached the state semifinals.



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3. Salesianum (Wilmington)
Head coach: Ted Godfrey
2015 record: 16-3

The Sallies reached the second round of the playoffs last year before falling to state runner-up Cape Henlopen. Salesianum returns a pair of all-state players, however, in second team outfielder Dante Cautillo and honorable mention junior pitcher Zachary Miller.

See last season's Delaware baseball playoff brackets

4. William Penn (New Castle)
Head coach: Marvin Dooley
2015 record: 11-7

The Colonials did not play in the state tournament last year, but they return four starters, including all-state first baseman Brandon Dooley. Last year, Dooley batted .480 with 21 RBIs and three home runs. All-state honorable mention selections Zach Burton (outfield) and Frank Burton (utility) also return.

See last season's Delaware baseball stat leaders

5. Appoquinimink (West Middletown)
Head coach: Billy Cunningham
2015 record: 17-5



The Jaguars captured the first state championship in the school's short history with a 10-2 win over Cape Henlopen. Appoquinimink, seeded eighth in the tournament, defeated No. 1 St. Mark's in the second round. A pair of second team all-state players return in junior pitcher Emir Garrett and senior infielder Brett Willett.