MaxPreps 2017 Idaho preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Diving catch straight into wall
Tyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) made one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


1. Lewiston
Head coach: Golden Steele
2016 record: 19-5

Lewiston finished just behind Lake City in the Inland Empire Conference and it returns three players who earned first team All-Conference honors last year. Leading the way is infielder Riley Way, one of the top-ranked players in the state by Perfect Game. Also back are pitcher Julian Washburn and outfielder Alex Light.

See last season's Idaho baseball computer rankings



2. Rocky Mountain (Meridian)
Head coach: Jake Taylor
2016 record: 19-8

Rocky Mountain did not advance to the state tournament last year and is just two years removed from a disappointing 2015 season when it went into the state tournament undefeated only two lose two straight. Rocky Mountain could change that around this year with the return of a pair of first team All-Conference players in junior pitcher Ethan Christianson and senior outfielder Ryan Hansen.

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3. Lake City (Coeur d'Alene)
Head coach: Paul Manzardo
2016 record: 21-7

The Timberwolves captured the Class 5A state championship last year with a 4-1 win over Meridian. While Conference MVP Dominic Conigliaro has graduated, Lake City returns Kyle Manzardo, a junior who was the Conference Newcomer of the Year.

See last season's MaxPreps Idaho baseball playoff brackets



4. Eagle
Head coach: Tony Hilde
2016 record: 19-9 Eagle figures to challenge for the championship in the Southern Idaho Conference this year thanks to the return of three of its top players from last year. Alex Guerrero is back at catcher after earning All-Conference first team honors as a sophomore. Christian Padilla, a second team pick, returns in the infield while Reed Harrington, an honorable mention selection, is back at pitcher. Tony Hilde is taking over for longtime coach Frank Wright.

See last season's MaxPreps Idaho baseball stat leaders

5. Centennial (Boise)
Head coach: Brian Champion
2016 record: 13-10

Centennial finished in the middle of the pack of the Southern Idaho Conference, but three All-League players return, including a pair of second team pitchers. Trace Ogata returns on the mound along with junior Logan Petet. Meanwhile, first team All-Conference pick Chad Martin is back in the infield. Centennial also has one of the state's top catchers in Zachary Britt.