MaxPreps 2016 South Carolina preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Mann (Greenville)
Head coach: Brian Simpson
2014-15 record: 25-6-1

Mann reached the Class 4A state championships before losing two games to Wando: 5-1, 6-4. The Patriots return a strong starting lineup, particularly in the infield where Patrick Frick is back at shortstop, Joe Satterfield is back at third base and Blake Brady is back at catcher. Meanwhile Blake Jeter, one of the top juniors in the state, returns at first base. Mann also has two of the top pitchers in the state in left-hander Mitchell Mikes and junior left-hander Jack Stamler.

See last season's South Carolina baseball computer rankings

2. Belton-Honea Path (Honea Path)
Head coach: Steve Williams
2014-15 record: 28-4

Belton-Honea Path ended Flora's three-year run as the top 3A team in the state, knocking off the defending champions in the Upper State playoffs. The Bears return Blake Holliday at third base. He batted .293 and led the team in home runs last year with three while also posting a 5-0 record on the mound. Chase Coker, one of the team's leading hitters last year with a .300 average and 24 runs scored, is back in the outfield. Griffin Jester and Jamison Patterson are the top returning pitchers. Dax Roper also returns at catcher after earning all-state second team honors. The Bears will miss Jake Crawford, who was named the Gatorade State Player of the Year last season.

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3. Summerville
Head coach: Banks Faulkner
2014-15 record: 25-4

Ranked as the top team in the state for most of the season, Summerville was eliminated by defending state champion Sumter in the District VIII championship game. The Green Wave return one of the state's top pitching combinations in Sawyer Bridges and Wilson Beattie, both of whom have committed to South Carolina. In the infield, Summerville returns the double play combination of Bo Gobin and all-region shortstop Brock Tobin.

See last season's South Carolina baseball playoff brackets

4. Mauldin
Head coach: Todd Robinson
2014-15 record: 15-13

The Mavericks lost in the Class 4A District I finals to T.L. Hanna, but they return one of the top players in the nation in shortstop Grant Bodison, who is ranked No. 43 in the nation by Perfect Game. Senior right-hander Rashesh Pandya leads a capable pitching staff that also includes junior Chris Armstrong. Junior Bryce Teodosio leads the outfield.

See last season's South Carolina baseball stat leaders

5. South Aiken (Aiken)
Head coach: Kevin Williams
2014-15 record: 16-11-1

The Thoroughbreds reached the Upper State playoffs but were eliminated from the tournament by eventual state champion Wando and defending state champion Sumter. South Aiken has the state's top pitcher in right-hander Owen Griffith while the infield returns starters Trey Polewski at shortstop and Alex Mills at first base.