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

Video: Diving catch straight into a wall
Tyler Pettigrew of Henley (Klamath Falls, Ore.) made one of the top catches during the 2016 season.


Editor's note: Buchanan (Clovis) is featured in the overall California Fab 5 and thus not chosen for the section-level group

1. Clovis North (Fresno)
Head coach: Chris Patrick
2016 record: 24-7-1

Clovis North did something no other team did last year - defeat Buchanan. The Broncos defeated the eventual MaxPreps national champions during league play, but the Bears went on to defeat Clovis North in the Division 1 section championship game. The Broncos return key players from that team, including pitcher Brett Walker, who went 10-1 with a 1.56 ERA, and catcher James Bell, who batted .483 with 23 RBIs.

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

2. Redwood (Visalia)
Head coach: Dan Hydash
2016 record: 23-8

Redwood has won back-to-back Division 2 championships and returns six starters and five pitchers with experience from those two teams. Cal State Fullerton commit Jace Chamberlin returns at first base after batting .408 with 33 RBIs. He's joined by centerfielder Chris Gonzalez (.380, 18 RBIs) and catcher Parker Cantrell (.317). Jake Bower leads the pitching staff after going 7-0 with a 1.53 ERA last year.

See the MaxPreps Central Section baseball pro photo galleries

3. Stockdale (Bakersfield)
Head coach: Brad Showers
2016 record: 20-8

The Mustangs lost in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs last year, but that team was loaded with underclassmen, including four sophomore starters. One of those was pitcher Sean Mullen, who earned All-Area MVP honors from the Bakersfield Californian after going 8-3 with a 1.94 ERA. Juniors Jalen Smith (.359), Cory Blackburn (.346) and Alejandro Murillo (.402) also return.

See last season's MaxPreps Central Section baseball playoff brackets

4. Clovis
Head coach: James Patrick
2016 record: 23-9

Clovis is always in the hunt for the Central Section championship and 2017 should be no different. Clovis returns a pair of All-Conference players in pitcher Chet Allison (5-0 record) and Mason Grotto (.345, 23 RBIs). The Cougars also return centerfielder Tyson Fraser. Besides batting .328 last year, he has good bloodlines, as he is the nephew of MLB veterans Brian and Marcus Giles.

See last season's MaxPreps Central Section baseball stat leaders

5. Edison (Fresno)
Head coach: Cliff Rold
2016 record: 16-14

The Tigers finished in second place in the County Metro Conference, but they return every starter and 13 pitching wins from that team. Adrian Galarza returns for his senior year after belting a team-high five home runs. Isaiah Haddad (.298) is back at shortstop while Eddie Rios (seven wins) and Eric Romero (six wins) return on the mound.