MaxPreps 2016 Alabama preseason high school baseball Fab 5, presented by the Army National Guard

1. Cullman
Head coach: Brent Patterson
2015 record: 44-10-1

The Bearcats captured the Class 6A state championship with a 2-1 series win over Pelham in the finals. Cullman returns one of the top juniors in the nation in Owen Lovell, an outfielder/pitcher who has already hit 20 home runs in his career, including 12 as a sophomore. Another junior, infielder Noah Fondren, also returns after batting .363 with 11 doubles. Lovell earned first team all-state honors last year while Fondren was second team. Juniors Jacob Heatherly (4-2) and Carter Bowen (4-1) return on the mound along with Lovell (6-0).

See last season's Alabama baseball computer rankings

2. Theodore
Head coach: Bo Smith
2015 record: 31-7

The Bobcats reached the quarterfinals of the Class 7A state playoffs last year before falling to Fairhope. Theodore returns a pair of all-state athletes in outfielder Walker Thompson and pitcher Josh Lewis. The team's top two juniors from last year, catcher Jonathon Cribb and shortstop Dalton Rone, return after earning all-region honors as sophomores.

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3. Russellville
Head coach: Chris Heaps
2015 record: 38-6-1

The Golden Tigers captured the Class 5A state title last year and they return four players who earned all-state honors last year. Junior outfielder Judd Ward made first team while batting .440. Senior Reed Smith was an all-state designated hitter and batted .459 with 13 doubles. Senior third baseman Landon Oliver made second team and hit .393 while junior Cody Greenhill made honorable mention after posting a 4-0 record.

See last season's Alabama baseball playoff brackets

4. Thompson (Alabaster)
Head coach: Pat Hamrick
2015 record: 31-19

The Warriors reached the Class 7A state championship game before falling to Smiths Station. Thompson returns one of the state's top outfielders in Heath Haskins, who earned all-state honors last season after batting .390 with six home runs. The infield is also set with returning starters Lance Johnson (.363) at shortstop, Riley Reach (.326) at second base, junior Chris Lewis (.324) at first base and Jonathan Crawford (.362) at catcher.

See last season's Alabama baseball stat leaders

5. Sparkman (Harvest)
Head coach: Kellen Greer
2015 record: 24-20

One year after winning 38 games, Sparkman dipped to 24 wins last year. However there is reason to be optimistic this season. Two of the state's top players, outfielder Brock Anderson and pitcher Breonn Pooler, return. They will be aided by outfielder Drake Sanchez, ranked among the state's best according to Perfect Game.