MaxPreps 2017 CIF San Diego Section preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

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See the Cathedral Catholic pitcher who was the No. 1 player chosen in the 2014 MLB Draft.


1. Rancho Bernardo (San Diego)
Head coach: Sam Blalock
2016 record: 24-10

The Broncos fell to Cathedral Catholic in the Open Division playoffs last year, but longtime coach Sam Blalock returns most of last year's starting lineup along with 12 pitching wins from last year's staff. The Broncos have two outfielders who could be drafted in June in Calvin Mitchell (.371, 12 home runs) and Tora Otsuka (.404, five home runs). The double play combination of Alika Williams at shortstop (.320) and Kiichi Sato at second base (.326) also returns along with catcher Connor O'Brien (.346). Junior Joey Magrisi returns on the mound after going 8-2 last year.

See last season's San Diego Section baseball computer rankings presented by the Army National Guard

2. Eastlake (Chula Vista)
Head coach: David Gallegos
2016 record: 29-5 Eastlake reached the Open Division championship game last year, falling to Cathedral Catholic in the final. Three starters with All-San Diego Section Team honors return from that team. Grant Holman was a first team pitcher as a sophomore and he also earned MaxPreps Underclass All-American honors. Infielder Casey Schmitt earned first team honors while infielder Ben Ramirez earned second team honors.

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3. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Head coach: Gary Remiker
2016 record: 25-9

Pitching depth will be an issue for the Dons after losing their top four pitchers from last year's Open Division championship team, but four position players return, which should make Cathedral Catholic a contender in the San Diego Section. Wyatt Hoffman (.267) anchors the infield at shortstop while juniors Jacob Allred (.340) and Nick Nastrini (.283) return in the outfield. Bradley Polinsky (.250) is back behind the plate.

See last season's MaxPreps San Diego Section baseball playoff brackets

4. Granite Hills (El Cajon)
Head coach: James Davis
2016 record: 23-12

Granite Hills won the Division 1 section championship last year and returns two of the key players from that unit. Junior catcher Jake Fenn, who was named the East County Rookie of the Year, is back along with senior outfielder Sean Ross, who earned All-East County second team honors. Granite Hills must replace pitcher Andrew Brown, who earned All-East County Player of the Year honors.

See last season's MaxPreps San Diego Section baseball stat leaders

5. Torrey Pines (San Diego)
Head coach: Kirk McCaskill
2016 record: 21-13

Led by former MLB pitcher Kirk McCaskill, Torrey Pines returns four of the team's top offensive players from last year, including McCaskill's son Bennett McCaskill, who batted .247 with two home runs. Kyle Hurt also returns. He belted four home runs last year and also went 8-2 on the mound with a 1.46 ERA.