MaxPreps 2016 San Diego Section preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad)
Head coach: Justin Machado
2015 record: 26-7

The Mavericks feature one of the top outfielders in the nation in Mickey Moniak, who figures to be a first round draft pick in the June MLB Draft. He batted .426 last year with 29 runs and 28 RBIs. He's one of three returning starters, including catcher Ryan Orr (.375) and second baseman Reed Labar (.221). The Mavericks reached the Open Division championship game, falling to Rancho Bernardo 3-2 in eight innings.

See last season's San Diego Section baseball computer rankings

2. Poway
Head coach: Bob Parry
2015 record: 23-13

The Titans captured the Division I championship by coming back through the loser's bracket to eventually defeat Eastlake for the title. Poway had a young team last year and returns five starters, including Kevin Bristow (.374, 16 doubles, 5 HR), junior Blake Wagenseller (.376, 4 HR) and sophomore Dayton Dooney (.311). Poway also returns all 23 pitching wins from last year, including juniors Dylan Weese (8-2) and Alex Blaszyk (7-2).

See San Diego Section baseball pro photo galleries

3. San Ysidro (San Diego)
Head coach: Ken Canche
2015 record: 31-3

The Cougars won the Division II section title last year with a win over La Jolla. Some of the section's best players return for San Ysidro, including all-state catcher Conrado Diaz, who batted .418 with 40 RBIs, 10 doubles and eight home runs. Also back is Edgar Lopez, a first baseman who batted .330 with 27 RBIs. The Cougars must find pitching, as only one win returns from last year's 31-victory team.

See last season's San Diego Section baseball playoff brackets

4. Cathedral Catholic (San Diego)
Head coach: Gary Remiker
2015 record: 21-10

The Dons took an uncharacteristic early exit from the Open Division playoffs last year, going 1-2 with losses to Rancho Bernardo and Torrey Pines. The offense was senior-dominated, but the pitching staff was mostly juniors last year. Connor Lunn (6-2, 2.56 ERA), Jordan Chang (3-2, 2.05) and Sam Miller (3-0, 1.24) all return from last year.

See last season's San Diego Section baseball stat leaders

5. Christian (El Cajon)
Head coach: Michael Mitchell
2015 record: 29-2

The defending Division III champions had a lineup filled with three talented sophomores in Zach Hogueisson (.389, 4 HR), Chase Wehsener (.388, 28 RBIs), and Justin Ledgerwood (.440). The pitching staff also returns 20 wins, including Nathan Jarvis (8-0, 1.05 ERA), John Gershow (6-1, 1.14) and Camden Bessone (4-1, 0.50).

Note: Rancho Bernardo is included in the California overall Fab 5 and is thus not in the San Diego Section Fab 5.