Minnetonka leads the way, but also watch out for Cretin-Derham Hall, Maple Grove, Chanhassen and St. Cloud Cathedral in the Minnesota baseball #MaxPrepsFab5.
Jordan Bonk, Chanhassen
Photo by Timothy Bykowski
2016 Minnesota Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Minnetonka
Head coach: Paul Twenge
2015 record: 17-11
The Skippers finished in the middle of the pack in the Lake Conference, but they might have the state's top pitcher in 6-foot-7 junior
Jimmy Ramsey, an Oregon commit who is ranked No. 1 in the junior class in the state of Minnesota by Perfect Game. The pitching staff is extremely deep with
Luke Wade,
Jacob Raether and
Fox Leum also returning.
See last season's Minnesota baseball computer rankings
2. Cretin-Derham Hall (St. Paul)
Head coach: Paul Weinberg
2015 record: 15-5
The Raiders finished second in the Suburban East Conference last year and they return one of the top shortstops in the state in
Jordan Ammons, who has committed to Mercer. He's joined in the infield by senior second baseman
Dominick Blake, who is headed to play at Robert Morris.
See Minnesota baseball pro photo galleries
3. Maple Grove
Head coach: Darby Carlson
2015 record: 19-9
The Crimson did not reach the state tournament, but they do return three all-conference players from a squad that won 19 games last year. Senior
Brett Schulze and junior
Charlie Horton are the team's top two pitchers while senior
Isaac Collins leads the infield at shortstop. Schulze plays second base and Horton plays first base when not pitching.
See last season's Minnesota baseball playoff brackets
4. Chanhassen
Head coach: AJ Pettersen
2015 record: 26-4
Chanhassen knocked off Lakeville North 2-0 for the Class AAA state championship last year and had five seniors make the coaches association all-state team. However, the Storm return junior outfielder
Jordan Bonk, who earned all-conference honors last year.
See last season's Minnesota baseball stat leaders
5. St. Cloud Cathedral
Head coach: Bob Karn
2015 record: 25-0
Winners of two straight Class 2A state championships and 50 games in a row, the Crusaders will miss all-state players Brindley Theisen and Dominic Austing. However, St. Cloud Cathedral has built a strong program under long-time coach Bob Karn, who was named the National Coach of the Year by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
