MaxPreps 2017 Alabama preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

Video: Jacob Heatherly highlights
The Cullman ace is expected to be a high draft pick in June.


1. Cullman
Head coach: Brent Patterson
2016 record: 41-14

The returning Class 6A runnerups return eight starters, including several capable of being selected in the Major League Baseball Draft in June. Owen Lovell is a three-time All-State selection and was named Mr. Baseball in Alabama last year. He hit .406 and has 40 career home runs with 189 RBIs. Another draft prospect is Jacob Heatherly, who went 5-3 last year with a 2.10 ERA. Returning All-State players include infielder Noah Fondren and junior pitcher Will Morrison.

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

2. Sparkman (Harvest)
Head coach: Kellen Greer
2016 record: 37-9

Sparkman was ranked as the top team in Alabama for most of the season before falling to Hewitt-Trussville in the Class 7A semifinals. Sparkman loses Class 7A state MVP Brock Anderson to graduation, but All-State picks Jared Howell (DH) and Reid Powers (C) return.

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3. Oak Mountain (Birmingham)
Head coach: Derek Irons
2016 record: 30-14

The Eagles reached the second round of the Class 7A state playoffs before falling to eventual champion Hewitt-Trussville. Oak Mountain has three players who earned All-State honors, including first team pitcher Joseph Martsfield, second team designated hitter Ethan Holsonbreck and honorable mention third baseman JJ Mcdonald.

See last season's MaxPreps Alabama baseball playoff brackets

4. Hewitt-Trussville (Trussville)
Head coach: Jeff Mauldin
2016 record: 36-11

The Class 7A state champions will be in the mix again this year thanks to the return of MaxPreps Underclass All-American Carson Skipper, an Auburn recruit who went 11-2 on the mound with a 1.83 ERA. Also back on the mound is Bradley Huffstutler, who went 7-3 with a 1.26 ERA. They are joined by honorable mention All-State shortstop Ed Johnson (.404, 11 doubles) as well as outfielders Grayson Cash (.304) and Dylan Cook (.279).

See last season's MaxPreps Alabama baseball stat leaders

5. James Clemens (Madison)
Head coach: Cory Hamrick
2016 record: 24-19 James Clemens has a new coach this year in Cory Hamrick, and he welcomes a pair of junior second team All-State players in catcher Tommy Crider and outfielder Jordan Anderson. Crider hit .400 with 21 RBIs while Anderson batted .385 with 29 RBIs.