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

Video: Nick Storz baseball highlights
See the right-handed pitcher who is a potential top 5 round draft pick.


1. Poly Prep Country Day (Brooklyn)
Head coach: Matt Roventini
2016 record: 24-5

The Blue Devils won the NYSAIS championship last season and they return six starters from that team. Leading the way is right-handed pitcher Nick Storz, an LSU commit who could be selected in the top five rounds of the MLB Draft, according to coach Matt Roventini. Storz earned MaxPreps Junior All-American honors last year after going 5-3 on the mound with a 1.88 ERA and 59 strikeouts. He's joined on the mound by Oliver McCarthy, a junior left-handed pitcher who could be a draft pick in 2018.

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

2. Lancaster
Head coach: Mark Dalfonso
2016 record: 22-3 Lancaster reached the Class AA regionals before falling to Webster Schroeder last year. The Legends have one of the top players in the country roaming the outfield in LG Castillo. The reported state leader in home runs last year with seven, Castillo batted .508 with 30 RBIs and is one of six returning starters in the field, with the Legends also returning seven pitchers who saw time on the mound.

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3. Monroe-Woodbury (Central Valley)
Head coach: Christopher Vero
2016 record: 19-3

The Crusaders reached the Section 9 Class AA championship game before falling to Kingston. But coach Christopher Vero has seven starters back from that team, including three who earned All-State honors. The pitching staff includes A.J. Rizzi, a right-handed pitcher who made eighth team All-State, while right-handed pitcher Nicholas Rivera was ninth team All-State. Drew Guerra, a right fielder, earned fourth team All-State honors and is a potential MLB Draft pick.

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4. Wantagh
Head coach: Keith Sachs
2016 record: 25-5

The Warriors won the Class A state championship game and feature one of the top players in the state of New York in third baseman Jimmy Joyce. The New York Class A State Player of the Year, Joyce also earned MaxPreps Medium Schools All-American honors after posting a .373 batting average and a 9-1 pitching record. He's joined by shortstop Anthony D'onofrio, who was All-State as a sophomore last year, and catcher Trevor Fagan, who was All-Conference.

See last season's MaxPreps New York baseball stat leaders

5. Webster Schroeder (Webster)
Head coach: Matt Knight
2016 record: 18-6

The Warriors reached the Class AA state championship game, but lost to Shenendehowa. A number of starters return from that team, including first team All-State outfielder Shane Marshall. Also the Greater Rochester Player of the Year, Marshall batted .494 with 27 RBIs.