MaxPreps 2015 Michigan preseason baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills)
2014 finish: 33-3-1
Head coach: Bob Riker

Brother Rice was the top-ranked team in the state, but fell to West Bloomfield in the regional playoffs and did not play in the state tournament. Nevertheless, the Warriors begin the season ranked No. 1 thanks to the return of the state's top senior in outfielder and MaxPreps Preseason All-American Nick Plummer, and the state's top junior in pitcher Karl Kauffmann.

View last season's Michigan baseball rankings, presented by the Army National Guard

2. Bay City Western (Auburn)
2014 finish: 38-7
Head coach: Tim McDonald



The Warriors won the state championship for the second-straight season and have averaged 37 wins during those two seasons. Carson Eby, a catcher who batted .395 with 41 RBIs and 28 doubles, returns along with Jason Clark, a pitcher who posted a 10-2 record with a 1.30 ERA.

View last season's Michigan baseball playoff brackets

3. Sterling Heights Stevenson
2014 finish: 37-3-1
Head coach: Joseph Emanuele

Three of the top offensive players from last year's squad return, including Brandon Williams, Riley McCauley and Greg McDade. Williams, a first baseman, batted .360 while McDade, an outfielder, hit .320 and McCauley, a shortstop, batted .360. Williams is also the top returning pitcher with a 5-0 record last year.

View last season's Michigan baseball stat leaders

4. Richmond
2014 finish: 35-4
Head coach: Anthony Bloink



Richmond posted a 30-game win streak last year before falling to Mt. Pleasant in the Division 2 championship game. Dillon McInerney, who posted a 12-1 record last year, returns to the lineup along with Jake Schmidt and Kevin Maas, who combined to post an 11-0 record. Catcher Evan Kratt and infielder Daniel Fistler also return.

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5. Notre Dame Prep (Pontiac)
2014 finish: 26-12
Head coach: Darren Audia

Notre Dame Prep lost in the first round of the Division 2 state tournament, but a number of impressive underclassmen return from that team, including right-handed pitcher Luke Shilling, the No. 2-ranked player in the state by Perfect Game. Will Mullen, a right-handed pitcher, also returns to the pitching staff.