MaxPreps 2017 Delaware 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.


1. St. Mark's (Wilmington)
Head coach: Matt Smith
2016 record: 20-2

The Spartans won the Division 1 state championship and return five of the team's top seven offensive players from that group. Second team All-State infielder Matthew Theodorakis returns. Junior Brian Gilardi also returns after batting .326 and playing shortstop. St. Mark's will miss pitcher Sean Gilardi, who earned All-State second team honors.

See last season's Delaware baseball computer rankings

2. Appoquinimink (West Middletown)
Head coach: Charles Word
2016 record: 11-5

The Jaguars fell to Archmere Academy in the first round of the state tournament, but they could be in for a big season in 2017. According to Perfect Game, Appoquinimink has two of the top seniors in the state in right-handed pitcher Brady Stamper and left-handed pitcher Ryan Steckline.

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3. Conrad Science (Wilmington)
Head coach: Kelley Wilson
2016 record: 16-4 Conrad Science advanced to the second round of the state playoffs, falling to Caravel 10-9 in nine innings. The Redskins have several of the state's top players returning, including catcher Brock Nowell, a first team All-State pick as a junior. Second team All-State pitcher Ryan Bradigan also returns.

See last season's MaxPreps Delaware baseball playoff brackets

4. Cape Henlopen (Lewes)
Head coach: Joe Roberts
2016 record: 13-6

Eventual state champion St. Mark's ended Cape Henlopen's season in the quarterfinals last year. The Vikings have one of the state's top juniors in outfielder Austin Elliott. He earned All-State first team honors as a sophomore and is ranked No. 1 in the state by Perfect Game. The Vikings have two other standout juniors in shortstop Zack Gelof and pitcher David Erickson.

See last season's MaxPreps Delaware baseball stat leaders

5. Caravel (Bear)
Head coach: Paul Niggebrugge
2016 record: 15-5

Caravel fell just short of a state championship in 2016, falling to St. Mark's 5-4 in the finals. Caravel figures to have one of the best arms in the state in first team All-State junior pitcher Joey Silan. Gone is the graduated Brandon Fraley, a former Gatorade State Player of the Year.