MaxPreps 2017 South Carolina 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. Summerville
Head coach: Bo Charpia
2016 record: 28-7

The Green Wave knocked off J.L. Mann (Greenville) with two straight wins after a series-opening loss to claim the Class 4A state championship last year. Summerville returns one of its top hitters from last year in Jonny Watts, who batted .386 with 21 RBIs. Summerville had one of the state's top freshmen last year in Brodie Blanton, as he batted .327. The Green Wave also have one of the state's top junior pitchers in Daniel Lloyd

See last season's South Carolina baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. River Bluff (Lexington)
Head coach: Mark Bonnett
2016 record: 23-5

River Bluff was one of the top-ranked teams in the state for most of the season before dropping a pair of games to eventual state champion Summerville in the Class 4A state playoffs. Although Player of the Year Brandon Tillmon has graduated, All-Area selection Aaron Adams returns at third base and starter Andrew Hanson is back at catcher.

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3. Mann (Greenville)
Head coach: Brian Simpson
2016 record: 25-9 Mann reached the Class 4A state championship series last year, but fell to Summerville in three games. Mann returns one of the state's top players in pitcher Jack Stamler, who went 9-0 on the year with a 0.74 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 76 innings pitched. Mann has one of the state's top sophomores in Jon Merck, who went 4-0 on the mound as a freshman.

See last season's MaxPreps South Carolina baseball playoff brackets

4. St. James (Murrells Inlet)
Head coach: Robbie Centracchio
2016 record: 23-9

The Sharks finished behind Belton-Honea Path in Class 3A last year, but four juniors return from that squad after making major contributions as sophomores. Parker Rabon batted .282 with 18 RBIs while Anthony Peck batted .307. Peck also led St. James on the mound, going 9-1 with a 1.04 ERA.

See last season's MaxPreps South Carolina baseball stat leaders

5. Belton-Honea Path (Honea Path)
Head coach: Steve Williams
2016 record: 32-4

The Bears have been the top Class 3A program in the state the past two seasons, racking up back-to-back 28-4 records with a pair of state championships. Two of the team's top pitchers return from last year in righthander Griffin Jester and lefthander Jamison Patterson. The Bears also have a standout in junior catcher Austin Daniel.