2016 Mississippi Preseason Baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard
1. Oxford
Head coach: Chris Baughman
2015 record: 35-1
The Chargers finished the 2015 season as the No. 1 in the nation in the MaxPreps Computer Rankings presented by the Army National Guard. Oxford won the Class 5A state title and it returns many of the team's top players from that squad, including MaxPreps Junior Player of the Year
Jason Barber. All-state pitcher
Houston Roth also returns and
Grae Kessinger, an all-state infielder, is back as well. The three are all headed to Ole Miss, along with senior transfer
Thomas Dillard, one of the nation's top catchers, who transferred from Briarcrest Christian (Tenn.).
See last season's Mississippi baseball computer rankings2. Oak Grove (Hattiesburg)
Head coach: Chris McCardle
2015 record: 26-10
The Warriors have won 11 state championships in their history, including two in the past five seasons. It should be another strong season as
Austin O'Flynn (.333) and
Daniel Moore (.301) return to lead the offense and junior pitchers
Drew Boyd (9-1),
Kris Smith (3-3) and
Payton Harris (2-1) return to lead the pitching staff.
See Mississippi baseball pro photo galleries3. George County (Lucedale)
Head coach: Brandon Davis
2015 record: 23-8
George County played in the Class 5A state championship game last year, falling to Oxford in the finals. It returns six starters from last season, including Mississippi State signee
Walker Robbins at pitcher and first base.
Bryson Solomon also returns in the outfield, along with
Connor Dunlap, while
Kyle Whittington anchors the infield defense at shortstop.
See last season's Mississippi baseball playoff brackets4. Houston
Head coach: Scott Gann
2015 record: 28-11
Depth on the mound will be the key for Houston, which reached the Class 4A state championship game last year.
Denver McQuary was one of the leaders on offense with a .405 average. He will also pitch, along with
Clay Hillhouse (6-2),
Hunter Moore (0-1) and Tanner Smith (3-1). Sophomore
Luke Hancock returns behind the plate after batting .410 as a freshman.
See last season's Mississippi baseball stat leaders
5. Cathedral (Natchez)
Head coach: Craig Beesley
2015 record: 25-4
The Green Wave rolled to a Class 1A state championship and they return all but one player from that team.
Andrew Beesley batted .476 while
Pate Shirley hit .408,
Gabe Smith hit .394 and
Zach Flattmann batted .351. Fourteen pitching wins return, including seven from
Sam Parker and five from Smith.