The Rest of the Xcellent 25 Preseason Baseball Rankings

Bishop Gorman has emerged as the No. 1 team in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Preseason Baseball Rankings, presented by Reebok, but what other teams are expected to be among the best in the country this year?

MaxPreps continues its preseason baseball coverage with a look at the Top 100 teams in the country to start the 2012 season, plus a review of our Top 10 teams.

Xcellent 25 Preseason Baseball Rankings

1. Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas), 35-4 - Preview

2. Jesuit (Tampa, Fla.), 27-7 - Preview

3. Carroll (Corpus Christi, Texas), 34-7 - Preview

4. Mater Dei (Santa Ana, Calif.), 24-6 - Preview

5. Archbishop McCarthy (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), 28-3 - Preview

6. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.), 25-1 - Preview

7. Spanish Fork (Utah), 29-3 - Preview

8. Farragut (Knoxville, Tenn.), 37-8 - Preview

9. Washington (New York City), 45-2 - Preview

10. Calallen (Corpus Christi, Texas), 39-6 - Preview

11. Gloucester Catholic (Gloucester City, N.J.), 31-2
Last Year: New Jersey Non-Public B champions.
Who's Back: Joe Brooks, 2B/C/P, Sr, signed with East Carolina, .444, 4 HR, 8 TRI, 43 RBI; John Brue, 1B/OF/P, Sr, signed with St. Joseph's, .551, 9 HR, 56 RBI; Brett Tenuto, 3B, Sr, signed with Stonybrook University, .472, 9 DBL, 4 TRI, 3 HR, 29 RBI; Elliott McCummings, C/OF, Sr, .435, 9 DBL, 2 HR, 30 RBI; Pat Kane, 2B/CF, Sr, signed with Old Dominion, .423, 1 HR, 16 RBI; Rob Alessandrine, SS, Sr, signed with Monmouth, .451, 28 R, 13 DBL, 24 RBI; Mike Shawaryn, P, Jr, 7-0, 1.70 ERA, 44 K, 40 IP.
Other Newcomers: Giovanni Gussen, OF/1B/P, Jr; Pat Heister, P/1B, Jr; Tim Holder, SS/OF/P, Jr; Steve Mondile, P, Soph; Mike Mercer, P, Soph; John Theckston, C, Jr; John Murphy, P, Fr; Dan Higgins, P, Sr; Joe Santone, P/OF, Sr.
Outlook: Plenty of pitching depth and defensive talent returning for Dennis Barth's Rams, who return their entire infield and a Division I starting pitcher and catcher from last year's Non-Public B championship team. Shawaryn hits 92 mph while Murphy is at 89 andHeister is at 87. Plenty of team speed and a strong group of juniors from a 21-2 JV squad. Another state championship is a definite possibility along with a challenge for a national championship.

12. JW North (Riverside, Calif.), 27-7
Last Year: California Southern Section Division I champions.
Who's Back: Gabriel Clark, 1B/OF, Sr, .425, 32 RBI, 5 HR, 13 DBL; Gabrial Franca, SS, Sr, .388, 2 HR, 14 DBL; Justin Gheorghe, CF, Sr, .273, 13 SB; Andrew Saucedo, C, Sr, .263, 19 RBI, 9 DBL, 3 HR; Juan De La Cruz, 1B/DH, Jr, .288, 10 RBI, 3 DBL; Jack Johnson, LHP, Sr, 7-2, 2.32 ERA, 69.1 IP, 65 K.
Other Newcomers: Louis Johnson, 3B, Sr (transfer from Riverside Poly), .288, 4 DBL, 11 RBI, 2 HR; Robert Ortega, RHP, Sr (transfer from ML King); Ignacio Valencia, 2B, Soph (transfer from Rialto), .280; Gage Cotton, LF, Jr.
Outlook: Six starters return from last year's Southern Section Division I championship team, including a pair of all-state players in Clark and Franca. Johnson leads the pitching staff after a strong showing in last year's playoffs that included a one-hit shutout of nationally ranked JSerra Catholic. Coach Steve Madril also expects three transfers to help out immediately with Ortega filling a hole in the pitching rotation that suffered the most losses due to graduation.

13. Rockwall-Heath (Rockwall, Texas), 36-9-1
Last Year: Lost in Texas Class 4A playoffs.
Who's Back: Jake Thompson, P/1B, Sr, .504, 17 DBL, 15 HR, 58 RBI, 12-3, 1.90 ERA, 88 IP, 131 K; Jovan Hernandez, P/3B, Sr, .393, 16 DBL, 11 HR, 53 RBI, 11-1, 1.32 ERA, 79 IP, 84 K; Brett Boswell, SS, Jr, .390, 5 HR, 13 DBL, 33 RBI; Jake Bledsoe, C, Sr, .395, 12 DBL, 4 HR, 44 RBI; Timbo Duncan, 1B/DH, Sr, .322, 11 DBL, 6 HR, 35 RBI.
Other Newcomers: R.J. Williams, middle infield, Soph.
Outlook: The Hawks have eight returning starters from last year's team. Many of these players also played on the 2010 team that was undefeated most of the season and ranked No. 1 in the nation at one point. Thompson and Hernandez are two of the top two-way players in the country, along with RHP Jake Baxter, to give Rockwall-Heath one of the top pitching staffs in the state of Texas.

14. Parkview (Lilburn, Ga.), 29-10
Last Year: Georgia AAAAA state champions.
Who's Back: Matt Olson, Sr, 1B/RHP, signed with Vanderbilt, .426, 53 RBI, 12 DBL, 17 HR, 8-3, 3.65 ERA, 69 IP, 91 K; Josh Hart, OF, Jr, .449, 15 DBL, 4 HR, 22 RBI; Edwin Arias, SS, Sr, .458, 34 RBI, 10 DBL, 7 HR; Jesse Foster, RHP, 6-1, 2.64 ERA, 71.2 IP, 70 K; Jack Esmonde, RHP/OF/3B, Sr, committed to Georgia, .409, 8 DBL, 20 RBI, 4-1, 25.1 IP, 24 K, 2.76 ERA; Jeff Ronpirin, DH/2B, Sr, .337, 28 RBI, 4 DBL, 3 HR; Jarrett Freeland, C/RHP/1B, Jr., committed to Georgia, .400, 6 DBL, 4 HR, 19 RBI; Ryan Blanton, OF, Jr, .390, 26 RBI, 14 DBL; Rob Youngblood, 2B/3B, Jr, .404, 5 DBL.
Other Newcomers: Max Marshall, LHP, Soph, 90 mph; Zach Langley, OF, Jr; Hunter Thornton, C, Jr; Sam McCoy, P/1B, Jr.
Outlook: Parkview struggled early last season, perhaps due to the team's youth, which included just one senior starter, four juniors and four sophomores. However the Panthers did come on strong in the postseason to win the school's fourth state championship. Eight of those starters return, including All-American and possible first-round draft pick Olson (6-5, 230).. All but one member of the pitching staff returns but that will open some innings for Marshall, who was 3-0 with 29 strikeouts in 21 innings pitched as a freshman.

15. Owasso (Okla.), 37-2
Last Year: Oklahoma 6A state runners-up.
Who's Back: Cory Taylor, RHP, Sr, 9-0, 71 K, 46 IP, 2.13 ERA; Colton Crocker, OF, Sr, 17 RBI, .377, 30 runs; Connor Wichmann, RHP, Sr, 3-0, 25 K, 23 IP; Andrew Rosa, SS, Jr, .357, 16 DBL, 4 HR, 49 runs.
Other Newcomers: Josh Whisler, C, Sr, (transfer), .448, 4 HR, 30 RBI; Brandon Hale, 2B/P, Sr (transfer); Austin O'Brien, 1B, Jr; Mason O'Brien, OF, Soph; Trae Bobo, .250, 2 HR.
Outlook: Losing National Player of the Year Dylan Bundy puts a dent in the pitching staff, however the Rams have been to the state finals 14 of the past 15 years and have won eight championships. Taylor leads the pitching staff this year, throwing 90 mph. Wichman will also be in the mix along with transfer Hale, from Union (Tulsa). Whisler, another transfer from Union, will help bolster the offense and provide leadership behind the plate. He was a two-year starter at Union before moving over to Owasso.

16. Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.), 29-4
Last Year: California Southern Section Division IV champions.
Who's Back: Rio Ruiz, 3B, Sr, .455, 35 RBI, 29 R, 14 SB; Adam Alcantara, OF, Jr, .475, 30 R, 12 SB; Daniel Zamora, LHP, Sr, 9-1, 1.43 ERA, 48 K.
Other Newcomers: Scott Hurst, OF, Soph; Bryan Menendez, C, Soph.
Outlook: Coach Andy Nieto will rely on a young group of players this year as six sophomores are expected to see a lot of playing time. However, the Lancers have one of the top players in the country in Ruiz and Zamora proved very effective last year in leading the team to a Southern Section Division IV championship.

17. Mountain Pointe (Phoenix), 27-5
Last Year: Arizona 5A Division I state champions.
Who's Back: Joey Curletta, OF/1B/P, Sr, .475, 21 HR, 52 RBI, 94 mph; Scott Kingery, SS, Sr, .505, 11 HR, 12 DBL, 32 RBI; Brantley Bell, 3B, Jr, .390, 4 HR, 11 DBL, 33 RBI; Sam Kingery, 2B, Sr, .395; Kyle Detwiler, P, Sr.
Other Newcomers: Ernie De La Trinidad, OF, Soph; Zach Cordova, P, Jr; Austin Anderson, P, Sr (Transfer from Alaska).
Outlook: Coach Brandon Buck's team hit 87 home runs last year and he expects another potent offense this year as the Pride defend their state title. State MVP Kevin Cron is gone, but hard-hitting and hard-throwing Curletta is back. Besides possibly being the state's top hitter, Curletta will also be a force on the mound with a 94 mph fastball. Buck can also go to Detwiler (6-5, 175), who had a strong summer with 26 straight scoreless innings, newcomer Cordova, who already has command of three pitches and is attracting college interest, and 6-2, 190-pound transfer Anderson, who throws 85 mph. Besides Curletta and all-state pick Scott Kingery, Buck points to speedy De La Trinidad as a difference maker on offense as he became just the third freshman in school history to earn a varsity letter last season.

18. Columbus (Ga.), 30-9
Last Year: Georgia AAA state champions.
Who's Back: Kyle Carter, LHP/CF, Sr, .467, 22 HR, 47 RBI; J.T. Phillips, RHP/SS, Sr, .283, 8 HR, 27 RBI; Spencer Draws, 2B/3B, Sr, .366, 12 DBL, 26 RBI; Anthony Padron, OF, Sr, .317, 4 HR, 31 RBI; Josh Lester, 3B/2B, Sr, .333, 6 DBL, 12 RBI.
Other Newcomers: Pierce Ressmeyer, C, Sr; Keith Sims, OF, Sr; A.D. Young, OF, Jr; Ryan Lang, OF, Sr; Avery Seckinger, RHP, Sr; Hunter Swilling, IF/RHP, Jr; Tony Dalponte, IF/RHP, Jr; Will Kilgore, IF, Soph.
Outlook: The Blue Devils have reached the Georgia AAA state championship game the past two seasons, winning it all last year. Coach Bobby Howard has one of the top players in the state in Carter, who was the Bi-City Player of the Year as a junior last season. Carter anchors the offense and the pitching and will be joined in the rotation by Phillips and Seckinger. All three throw in the neighborhood of 88-91 mph.

19. Harvard-Westlake (North Hollywood, Calif.), 23-8
Last Year: California Southern Section Division I semifinalist.
Who's Back: Lucas Giolito, P, 9-1, 78 K; Arden Pabst, C, Jr, .430, 11 DBL, 30 RBI, 2 HR; Joe Corrigan, 1B, Jr, .355, 17 RBI, 6 DBL; Casey Rosenfeld, OF, Jr, .293, 3 DBL; Jack Flaherty, OF/IF, Soph, .355, 18 RBI, 3 DBL, 2 HR, 6-2, 35 K.
Other Newcomers: Max Fried, P (transfer from Montclair Prep)
Outlook: The Wolverines figure to have the top pair of 1-2 starters in the nation with Giolito ranked as the nation's top right-handed pitching prospect and newcomer Fried ranked as the nation's top left-handed prospect. No. 3 pitcher Flaherty had an outstanding freshman season. Coach Matt Lacour will need to find some offense to provide the runs to protect his pitchers, and he'll start with catcher Pabst and first baseman Corrigan, the team's top two returning hitters from last year's 23-8 squad.

20. Flanagan (Pembroke Pines, Fla.), 23-3
Last Year: Lost in Florida Class 6A quarterfinals.
Who's Back: Jose Mesa Jr., RHP, Sr, 6-0, 27 IP, 31 K, 3.80 ERA, 90-91 mph; Michael Emigh, LHP, Sr, 7-0, 38 IP, 47 K, 1.66 ERA, 86-88 mph; Andres Sanchez, SS, Sr, .500, 5 DBL, 17 HR, 51 RBI.
Other Newcomers: Rick Sanchez, Sr; Gentry Fortuno, Fr; Ismael Reyes, Sr; Ryan Dodge, Soph.
Outlook: The Falcons suffered a shocking quarterfinal loss last season after being ranked among the top teams in the country for most of the season. Coach Ray Evans returns a strong group of pitchers, led by Mesa and Emigh. Fortuna, a hard-throwing freshman who hits 85 mph, and Reyes, a senior righthander who throws 86, will also see time on the mound. Flanagan also has one of the state's best shortstops in Sanchez, who leads the defense and is also the team's top returning hitter.

21. Memorial (Houston), 32-10-1
Last Year: Texas Region 3 runners-up.
Who's Back: Justin "Boomer" White, C, Sr, Signed with TCU, .513, 17 DBL, 7 HR, 44 RBI; Ben Carl, 3B/RHP, Sr, Signed with Baylor, .372, 10 DBL, 1 HR, 20 RBI; Beau Rathjen, OF, Sr, Signed with Rice, .404, 3 DBL, 10 HR, 35 RBI; Kacy Clemens, RHP/1B, Jr, 7-1, 56.3 IP, 59 K, 4.64 ERA, .353, 5 DBL, 4 HR, 32 RBI.
Other Newcomers: Drew Tolson (transfer), SS/RHP, Sr, Signed with Baylor; Zach Patton, OF, Sr; Will Sikora, SS/RHP, Soph.
Outlook: Experience is a strength for the Mustangs, who return one of the nation's top catchers in White. Clemens, son of MLB pitching great Roger Clemens, anchors a pitching rotation that will include Tolson, Carl and Brock Davidson. All throw in the mid to high 80s with Clemens regularly hitting 88-89. Hitting is also a strength for coach Jeremy York's crew with three of last year's top seven hitters returning.

22. Saguaro (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 34-4
Last Year: Arizona 4A Division I state champions.
Who's Back: Chris Akmon, 1B/OF, Sr, .504, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 6 TRI; Zach Gibbons, CF, Sr, .411, 28 RBI, 17 SB; Austin Anderson, LF, Sr, .492, 20 DBL (state record), 18 SB, 38 RBI; Matt Morris, SS, Sr, .469, 14 DBL, 33 RBI, 14 SB; Reed Austin, 3B, Sr, .462, 6 HR, 37 RBI; Alan Madsen, LHP, Sr, 4-0, 47 K; Daniel Akmon, RHP, 3-0, 6 saves.
Other Newcomers: Brett Adams, C, Soph; Turner Lace, IF, Soph; Nick Messervey, LHP, Soph.
Outlook: Saguaro set an Arizona state record last year with 34 wins and coach Ryan Dyer returns 15 lettermen from a group that has won back-to-back state championships and gone 60-10 the past two years. Madsen, Daniel Akmon and Messervey lead a pitching staff that throws in the mid to high 80s. The offense can also smash the ball, scoring 384 runs last year on 446 hits. Chris Akmon, a two-time region player of the year, leads the offense along with another three-time all-state outfielder in Gibbons. Outfielder Anderson, last year's team MVP, also returns after setting a state record for doubles.

23. Carroll (Fort Wayne, Ind.), 32-2
Last Year: Indiana Class 4A state champions.
Who's Back: Grant Wilson, OF, Sr, .381, 27 RBI; Elliott Ford, C, Sr, .337; Peyton Lengacher, IF/P, .406, 43 H, 6 HR, 4-0, 35.1 IP, 2.77 ERA; Steve Remesnik, P/1B, Sr, .390, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 5-0, 36 IP, 4.08 ERA; Matt Kowalsky, OF, Sr, .220; Tanner Ginder, IF, Sr, .310.
Other Newcomers: Drue Tranqil, OF, Soph; Taylor Goshen, IF/P, Soph; Austin Starke, OF, Jr; Ross Koble, IF/C, Jr.
Outlook: The Chargers knocked off favored Indianapolis Cathedral in the state finals last season and return a solid core of players from that team. Lengacher will be one of the leaders on both offense and on the mound while Wilson is expected to help out at the plate and Remesnik provides another experienced arm. The Chargers also have strong leadership behind the plate in catcher Ford.

24. Conestoga (Berwyn, Pa.), 21-5
Last Year: Pennsylvania 4A state champions.
Who's Back: Scott Williams, C/RHP, Sr, .478, 2 HR, 27 RBI, committed to Virginia; Jake Carr, DH/3B, Sr, .483, 24 RBI; Luke Mogle, OF, Sr, .355; Tom Richter, 2B, Soph, .405; Matt Cowell, RHP, 83 mph; Adam Rusenko, LHP, 4-2, 3.20 ERA; Allen Wang, RHP, Sr; Jordan Little, LHP, Jr.
Other Newcomers: C.J. Herron, OF, Sr; Bryan Dixon, 1B/3B, Sr.
Outlook: About half of last year's starting lineup returns from a state championship team, including potential MLB draft pick Williams at catcher. Playoff experience from last year will help this year's squad, according to coach John Vogan, but he wants his players to focus on the upcoming season. "What we did last year isn't going to help us now."

25. Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.), 30-2
Last Year: Central Section Division I champions.
Who's Back: Dominick Topoozian, RHP, Sr, 82 IP, 11-0, 78 K, 1.02 ERA, Fresno Bee Pitcher of the Year; Matt Krick, 3B, Sr, .377; Pat Sylvia, 1B, Sr; Kody Batesole, SS, Jr; Jeremy Vollberg, OF, Jr.
Other Newcomers: Jacob Avery, OF, Sr; Joe Lynes, OF, Sr; Brett Karraker, C/RHP, Jr; Collin Winn, OF, Jr; Jack Wheeless, LHP, Soph; Carter Gambrell, C, Soph; Korby Batesole, SS/2B, Soph; Aaron Arruda, OF/RHP, Soph; Michael Bono, RHP, Soph.
Outlook: The Bears finished in contention for the No. 1 national ranking last year by MaxPreps, eventually finishing No. 3 overall. Coach Tom Donald doesn't quite have the same pitching depth as last year, but Topoozian gives the Bears one of the craftiest pitchers in the state with his assortment of pitches and his ability to throw strikes. The infield defense returns nearly intact with Sylvia, Batesole and Krick manning three of the spots. Donald expects a solid defense and a promising offense to be the keys for this year's squad.

Continue reading for teams 26-100