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

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1. Carlsbad
2016 record: 25-6
Head coach: Cody May

Carlsbad captured the Class 6A state championship in 2016 and returns the pitcher who helped lead the Cavemen to the title. Trevor Rogers, a 6-foot-5 pitcher, went 9-2 last year with 122 strikeouts and a 0.70 ERA in 69.2 innings pitched. He is targeted as a possible first round pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft in June. Carlsbad also returns one of the state's top sophomores in catcher Mason Estrada, who batted .268 last year.

See last season's New Mexico baseball computer rankings



2. Rio Rancho
2016 record: 25-6
Head coach: Ron Murphy

The Rams reached the Class 6A state championship game, falling to Carlsbad 2-1. Rio Rancho has won at least 20 games in each of the past four seasons, last winning a state title in 2013. The Rams have one of the state's best position players in infielder Garrett Gouldsmith, who batted .562 with 12 doubles and three home runs. The team's winningest pitcher also returns in junior Bohdi Bolen, who went 10-1 as a sophomore.

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3. La Cueva (Albuquerque)
2016 record: 18-10
Head coach: Gerard Pineda

The Bears are just two years removed from a state championship, finishing 10-2 in their district last year and reaching the Class 6A quarterfinals. La Cueva returns All-State pitcher Jonathan Stroman, who has been the team's top pitcher since his sophomore season. Meanwhile, infielder Jack Pineda, son of coach Gerard Pineda, ranks as one of the top players in the Class of 2018.

See last season's New Mexico baseball playoff brackets



4. Centennial (Las Cruces)
2016 record: 25-6
Head coach: Rusty Evans

Centennial captured the Class 5A state championship with a 5-4 win over top-seeded Goddard. The title was the first in school history for the Hawks. Jr. Pena, who picked up the win in the championship game, returns after earning All-State honors last year. The Hawks will compete at the Class 6A level in 2017.

See last season's New Mexico baseball stat leaders

5. Sandia Prep (Albuquerque)
2016 record: 27-4
Head coaches: Paul Huitt, Chris Eaton Winner of two straight Class 4A state championships, Sandia Prep could be in line to make it three in a row in 2017. Although Sandia Prep loses most of its starting pitching from last year, ones of the team's top hitters returns in Joe Martinez, a centerfielder who batted .466.