MaxPreps 2017 Indiana 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. Carmel
Head coach: Matt Buczkowski
2016 record: 25-7

The Greyhounds reached the regional finals before falling to Zionsville. Carmel returns six of its top eight offensive players from last year, led by third baseman Rhett Wintner, who catted .461 with 33 RBIs, 11 doubles and three home runs. Three other returning players batted over .300. A total of 14 pitching wins return, including a 7-2 mark by senior Tommy Sommer. Cameron Pferrer, meanwhile, is one of the top-ranked pitchers in the state by Perfect Game.

See last season's Indiana baseball computer rankings

2. Lafayette Jefferson
Head coach: Scott McTagertt
2016 record: 19-6

The Bronchos lost in the first round of the state Class 4A tournament, but only two seniors with significant playing time graduated from that squad. The top returning hitter is Chandler Ferguson. One of the top-ranked first basemen in the nation, Ferguson batted .431 with six doubles and three triples last year. He also went 5-3 on the mound with 73 strikeouts.

See the MaxPreps Indiana baseball pro photo galleries

3. Jasper
Head coach: Terry Gobert
2016 record: 31-5 One of the perennial favorites in Class 3A, Jasper reached the regional finals before falling to Evansville Memorial. Jasper returns All-State outfielder Evan Aders along with right-handed pitcher Reece Kleinhelter. Jasper has averaged 28 wins per season the past four years.

See last season's MaxPreps Indiana baseball playoff brackets

4. Northview (Brazil)
Head coach: Craig Trout
2016 record: 25-6

Northview reached the Class 3A state championship game and defeated Western 2-1 for the state title. The Knights won the title with just three seniors on the roster. Mitchell Howald returns in the infield after batting .406 last year while junior Braydon Tucker is back as a utility player after batting .438.

See last season's MaxPreps Indiana baseball stat leaders

5. Cathedral (Indianapolis)
Head coach: Ed Freije
2016 record: 20-5-1

The Fighting Irish are always in the mix in Class 4A, going 29-1 just four seasons ago and posting at least 20 wins ever year for the past decade. They return pitcher Nick Eaton, who is one of the top-rated pitchers in the state by Perfect Game. Also back are senior pitchers Jack Phillips and Jack Myers.