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

Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
See an Oregon player grab one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


1. St. Xavier (Louisville)
Head coach: Andy Porta
2016 record: 28-12

The defending state champions have won two state titles in the past three seasons and seven in the school's history. St. Xavier returns three players signed with Division 1 colleges, including right-handed pitcher Connor Holden (6-1, 1.81 ERA), who signed with Murray State; outfielder Sam Hedges (.281), who signed with Northern Kentucky, and outfielder Samuel Mudd (.293), who signed with Southern Indiana.

See last season's Kentucky baseball computer rankings

2. Greenup County (Greenup)
Head coach: Greg Logan
2016 record: 39-2

The Musketeers were ranked among the top 25 teams for much of the season before falling to St. Xavier in the first round of the state tournament. Five starters return, led by juniors Kyle Gammon and Gage Hughes. Gammon batted .379 with 32 RBIs while Hughes led the team with 55 RBIs and eight home runs. Tristan Downing is back after going 9-0 on the mound while junior Ryan Lambert was 8-1.

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3. McCracken County (Paducah)
Head coach: Geno Miller
2016 record: 37-6

McCracken County returns two of its top pitchers from last year along with four position players. Outfielder Trent Shelby is headed to Kentucky Wesleyan while outfielder Rook Ellington has committed to Kentucky. Caleb Reinhardt and Luke Seed head the pitching staff while Mason Vinyard returns after having Tommy John surgery.

See last season's MaxPreps Kentucky baseball playoff brackets

4. Trinity (Louisville)
Head coach: Steven Tompkins
2016 record: 29-7

The Class 6A state champions in football could contend in baseball this year. The Shamrocks return pitcher Brody Heil and outfielder Matthew Higgins. Trinity also has three of the state's top juniors in catcher Ben Metzinger, right-handed pitcher Nick Carroll and first baseman Andrew Arnold.

See last season's MaxPreps Kentucky baseball stat leaders

5. Ballard (Louisville)
Head coach: David Trager
2016 record: 21-15-1 The Bruins did not play in the state tournament last year after getting knocked out by St. Xavier in the sixth region tournament. Ballard has the state's top player, and one of the best outfielders in the nation, in Jordon Adell. He batted .449 last year with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs.