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

Video: Catch preserves no-hitter
Jacob Palisch of Dallas Jesuit got this catch from teammate Matt Horvath last year to preserve a no-hitter last season.


1. Dallas Jesuit
Head coach: Brian Jones
2016 record: 36-8-2

The defending Class 6A state champions lose MaxPreps National Player of the Year Kyle Muller to graduation, but there's still plenty to like about the Rangers. Stanford signee and returning All-State pick Jacob Palisch led the Dallas Jesuit pitching staff last year with an 11-1 record and 0.72 ERA. He's joined on the mound by JJ Montenegro, who has signed with the University of Arizona. A pair of infielders return in J.T. Mix (.323) and Mark Ready (.286).

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2. Johnson (San Antonio)
Head coach: Gordy Gessell
2016 record: 32-6



The Jaguars reached the Class 6A state final, where they fell to Dallas Jesuit 6-2. Johnson returns five starters from that team, led by All-State pitcher Richard Gilbert. Headed to Texas Tech, Gilbert is joined on the pitching staff by returning starter Ryan Day. The infield looks solid for the Jaguars with starters Dalton Shuffield (shortstop), Derek Martinez (3B) and Hunter Wall (1B) all returning. Shuffield, Gilbert and Martinez were All-District selections last year.

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3. Deer Park
Head coach: Chris Rupp
2016 record: 37-3

Deer Park was one of the surprise teams in Texas last year, going undefeated for much of the season before finally exiting the playoffs in the regional finals to Langham Creek. Deer Creek returns its top pitcher from last year in Peyton Sherlin (11-2) along with pitcher Clay Aguilar (5-1). All-District infielder Josiah Ortiz (.300) also returns.

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4. Fort Bend Travis (Richmond)
Head coach: Rodney Hernandez
2016 record: 25-5-1 Although the Tigers exited the Class 6A state playoffs in the second round last year, they could be in for a deeper run in 2017. Fort Bend Travis has one of the state's top players in outfielder Cole Turney. An All-State pick and the District MVP, Turney is also a MaxPreps preseason All-American. He's joined by fellow All-District picks Wesley Faison at first base, Dominic Cox in the outfield and Brandon Pruitt at shortstop.



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5. Midland
Head coach: Barry Russell
2016 record: 23-12

The Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the state Class 6A playoffs, but could be ready to advance even farther in 2017. Midland had the top defensive player in the district in shortstop Jaxon Hallmark, who has signed with Nebraska. Midland also has returning All-District players Sam Bertelson in the infield and Chris Sims in the outfield. Midland played Midland Lee, a regional finalist, to three one-run games during the regular season and finished second in district play.